Chapter 2 - The Heroes' Feast

Colin winced, putting a hand to his neck. He had just returned from the infirmary, and he was sure the old lady who treated him had secretly rubbed salt in his wound. He reminded himself to stop rubbing the salve as the maid arrived at their destination.

"This way, Sir Hero," the maid graciously bowed as she opened the door.

Colin stepped into a lavish bedroom. A queen-sized bed with yellow sheets in gold embroidery sat upon a fine patterned rug that ran the span of the tile floor. A porcelain vase holding a leafy plant sat opposite the silk curtains, fluttering from the open balcony with the breeze. A gold chandelier hung overhead, lit with twenty-two candles dyeing the metal in an orange glow. A few more candles were placed along a golden candelabra; these ones smelled of lavender. Within the room's center was a sofa, followed by three golden chairs with red embroidered fabric for lining. They all collectively sat around a small table with a white cloth. The table held a silver bowl full of fruit, a pitcher with five silver wine glasses, and a silver tray plated with cheese and crackers. Even a fireplace sat snugly against the wall opposite the bed, flanked by portraits featuring lush landscapes. Colin forced a few blinks. He felt the furniture alone could cover the price he had paid for his boat several times over. Colin suddenly felt very small and insignificant.

"Ah, there you are. Looks like you got held up in the infirmary for a while?" Itsuki took a bite out of a cheese-topped cracker with a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Actually, it was more so the king than the old lady at the infirmary. He wanted to talk with me at a later time, so we agreed to meet tomorrow morning." Colin sat down on the couch, staring at the cheese platter. "Didn't the king say they were preparing a feast? What's with all the food?"

Motoyasu laughed heartily. "Try not to get too full on that stuff. It's only there for comfort's sake anyway." Colin took a piece of fruit from the bowl as Motoyasu absent-mindedly chewed on a cracker. It was a round, bright pink fruit resembling a roughly shaped peach. It lacked the familiar fuzziness that Colin was used to, so he took a bite. Instantly, the flavor of raspberries with a hint of citrus washed along his tongue. The inside was soft with no seeded core to speak of, just tiny black seeds dotted about the yellow flesh.

"Mhm. Did anyone try these?" Colin spoke practically mid-swallow. "The food here is pretty interesting." Looking up, Colin noticed how everyone was absorbed in their status screens. Or at least they ought to be as they stared into empty spaces while occasionally flicking a finger through the air. An awkward silence filled the room. Colin gulped down the remainder of the fruit before wiping his hands and face with one of the cloth napkins near the tray. Naofumi was the first to try to engage in conversation.

"This status stuff, it's just like a game, don't you guys think?" Naofumi lifted his head from the empty space, and the other three heroes looked on in mild surprise.

"Like a game? I think you mean it is one," said Motoyasu. "It's exactly like Emerald Online."

"Never heard of it," said Noafumi.

"Me neither," said Itsuki.

"Is it still relatively new?" Said Colin. Motoyasu blinked a few times in pure shock as he gazed back at the three of them.

"Are you serious?! Emerald Online is one of the biggest RPGs on the market right now. It's insanely popular."

"I don't know. I consider myself a hardcore otaku and have never heard anything about it." Naofumi scratched his head.

Motoyasu asked, "What kind of games do you play then?" Naofumi sat up from where he was slumped onto the couch, leaning forward as he got comfortable.

"Online games, popular MMOs like Odin Online or Fantasy Moon Online."

"Never heard of them; you sure they're well-known games?" Naofumi shrugged as Motoyasu furrowed his brow. Then they turned to Colin.

"Ah! It's been a while since I was into video games, but I'm familiar with CRPG games and RPGCreator stuff. Uh, Gate of Eleos, to name one." The two of them looked at him strangely.

"I have no idea what you guys are talking about," said Itsuki. "This world isn't an online game. It's a console game. You know? Like Dimension Web?"

"No, you are all wrong," piped Ren. "It's a VRMMO called Brave Star Online."

"That's pushing it. I understand this feels like a fantasy scenario, but even if we're inside a game, it must still be a mouse or controller game," said Motoyasu. Ren shook his head.

"Mouse? Controller? How old are you guys again? That stuff is so old it might as well be obsolete."

"Come on, VR isn't revolutionary. Wearing that big old headset gets tiring, not to mention sweaty after a while. Nine times out of ten, you're more focused on not smacking your computer monitor than the game." Ren shot a befuddled look over to Colin.

"What are you talking about? Most headsets are Full-Dive and have internal cooling systems. You wouldn't even need a monitor."

"Haha! Full-Dive? Now I know you're pulling my leg. I'd like to get my hands on whatever you've been playing." Laughed Colin.

"Is it really that hard to believe?" When Colin noticed Ren's genuine confusion, his laughter immediately died down. Something was off.

"Are we absolutely sure we're in a game? I don't even have any games like this back in my world," said Naofumi.

"Wait, wait. It's gonna get more confusing if we keep going like this." Motoyasu sat up from where he sat on the edge of the bed, propping himself alongside his spear as he stood and spoke. "For now, let's trade information. First things first, you know what Ren's talking about when he says VRMMO, right guys?"

"It sounds like a game out of science fiction, but yes, I do."

"I've read a few light novels that talk about it."

"I mainly understand it through anime, but I get the gist."

"Right then. I'm in the same boat. I've never seen an actual Full-Dive VR headset before. Ren, are you saying these games are normal for you?"

Ren nodded, "It's a very common game medium."

"Then, have you heard of any of the titles we mentioned from older games?"

"…Let me be clear: I consider myself well-versed in game history. These are titles I've not even heard in passing. Regardless of that, you guys seem to think otherwise, right? That these games are famous where you come from?" The four heroes opposite Ren all nodded in agreement.

Colin had a faint idea where this was going as everyone slowly began to put the pieces together. Motoyasu, however, had already come to his own conclusion and quickly proposed a plan.

"Okay, let's change the topic for a second. We all know who the current prime minister is, right?" Everyone nodded in affirmation.

"Alright then, let's go with that. On the count of three, let's say it at the same time and see if anyone lines up." Motoyasu began his countdown, and everyone sprang up to answer at three.

"Eguchi Masato."

"Akagi Ryuu."

"Sakuma Sho."

"Nakajima Mikio."

"Ishikawa Kin."

The five of them collectively paused, only moving to unanimously say, "Who?"

Now, Colin wasn't an expert on Japanese politics or leadership. But he at least remembered the prime minister's name in passing. Colin didn't recognize any of the names the other heroes gave. The heroes began to talk and compare information.

After a while, Motoyasu cleared his throat, "Okay, it looks like we're all from different parallel worlds. I thought it might have been a time-period issue, but that isn't the case."

"Seems like it," muttered Colin.

Naofumi slumped down onto the sofa once more and sighed. "And yet everyone seems so familiar with this world despite that. Why am I the only one who hasn't played a game like this?"

"Don't include me in that assumption," said Colin. "I'm just as clueless as you." The other three heroes stared on as the two of them began to notice the change in atmosphere.

"He is the shield after all..." one murmured.

"Colin, he doesn't even have a weapon..." muttered another.

Naofumi and Colin interjected as the other three drifted into a different conversation.

"Since you're all so knowledgeable about this, could you pass along some tips to the rest of us?"

"Maybe you could teach us?"

Ren was visibly annoyed by the prospect, scrunching his nose at the two's words. Motoyasu and Itsuki, however, were more than willing to part with some knowledge.

"Okay! Big brother Motoyasu will teach you guys the basics." Motoyasu pulled up an empty chair to sit across from the couch. "First up, Naofumi. You should know I'm only going off of what I know from Emerald Online, but your class is called a 'shielder.' Your job is to protect people with your high defense stats. And Colin, your class wasn't in the main game per se~. From what I remember, it was introduced in a DLC and acted as a charm user. They were magic-based and specialized in support skills." Motoyasu had both Naofumi and Colin hanging off of his next word. The two of them clearly held onto a font of hope.

"The shielder and the charm bearer are both classes that have the highest supporting stats, to begin with, but later enemies tend to have unbalanced attack values, which made it harder for your classes to keep up. In other words, your classes are the unpopular picks. No one uses them because they're too much of a pain in the ass to play." Colin stared at Motoyasu, his eyes practically boring holes straight through him.

"That's it? Really?!" Colin wanted to get up and shout, "Give me back my excitement!" It was clear, however, that Naofumi took the news harder out of the two of them.

"NOOOOooooooooo!" He cried. It was so sudden that it made Colin jump in surprise. Naofumi reeled back, the desperation beginning to set in.

"Changelogs! What about the changelogs!? Were there any balance changes, any at all!?" Much to his dismay, Motoyasu just shook his head.

"Sorry, man. The class was practically abandoned. The pick rate was so low that players thought the devs could eliminate it altogether."

"I-Is there any way I can swap..." Before he could even finish his sentence, Motoyasu cut him off.

"No can do. Once you've picked your class, you're locked in. At most, you could swap to a separate specialization skill tree, but even then, they're all crap." At that, Naofumi just slumped down onto the couch, defeated.

"Sorry... I didn't want to be the bearer of bad news here." Motoyasu regretfully turned away, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"Oh, come on. It can't be all bad, right guys?" Colin watched as the three heroes turned away, unwilling to look him in the eye.

"Wow, you guys are real rays of sunshine, you know that?"

Itsuki quickly broke the newfound silence. "S-So, you're from the States then? You don't often read about Westerners getting sent to other worlds."

"Is getting spirited away a common occurrence in Japan?" Laughed Colin. Itsuki didn't respond, too nervous to formulate a reply.

"Sorry, I get it. It's a common theme in light novels. Just trying to break the ice." Colin took off his hat to scratch his head, and suddenly, the demeanor of the four heroes changed. Their eyes practically bulging out of their skulls.

"Okay, my joke wasn't that bad. You guys are freaking me out here."

"Wha… Ikemen." Ren coughed out. With his hand over his mouth, he tried not to draw attention to himself. Meanwhile, Itsuki and Motoyasu sat there staring. Naofumi silently mouthed, "Wow," too stunned to formulate a sentence.

"Ike-wha? What does that mean?" Asked Colin, worried and confused.

"I-It just means you're attractive. It's the first time I've seen hair that white. Is it natural?" Said Itsuki in an attempt to ease him.

"Thanks? I guess." Colin was a bit self-conscious about his appearance, but not for the reasons the heroes were fussing about. He was born with albinism, a rare genetic disorder that caused those affected to be conceived with a lack of pigment in their skin, eyes, and hair. His hair was a milky white, with cold gray eyes and a freckled nose contrasting his porcelain skin. In his youth, he was often teased for his appearance. Many boys his age described it as doll-like and creepy. According to his father, he inherited his good looks from his mother, but it was hard for him to gauge as he had never met her. Colin hated his condition because it paired horribly with his time at sea. Fishing trips became a fiery hell without an extra bottle of sunscreen. He tousled his hair to cast a shadow over his eyes before returning the fisherman's cap to his head.

"My hair color is real, but it's nothing to be surprised about. As for how I was summoned... I was called here for a favor someone asked of me, you could say." Colin said. A few heroes gave Colin a questioning look.

"So, how'd everyone end up as heroes?"

Ren let a sigh escape his lips. Once again, he donned his stoic demeanor, adding depth to his voice to make himself sound more imposing. "Just a spot of bad luck is what did it. I was walking home from school when I was jumped by a murderer. A friend of mine was with me then, so I wasted no time wrestling the attacker to the ground. I don't remember all the details, but I stopped the guy, got him arrested, and saved my friend in the process." Ren rubbed his side thoughtfully, leaving no mystery about what happened to him. Regardless of how it went down, he sounded very proud of himself. Colin felt his bravado was excessive but saw him in a better light.

"That was pretty selfless of you. To sacrifice yourself like that, you must've been close with them," said Naofumi. Ren tossed his hair, stoically leaning against the wall next to the balcony.

"It was nothing. Just the right thing to do at the time," said Ren. Colin could imagine a black cape billowing in the wind as Ren cast his stern gaze out the open balcony. He did his best to hold back from teasing him about his attitude.

Noafumi sighed and nodded as his respect for the young man slowly died out. Then Motoyasu began his story.

"Ahem! Right! My turn." Motoyasu leaned forward in his seat. "Back in my world... well... I had a few girlfriends, to say the least..." Motoyasu's age began to show as one of the eldest in the room. It was made apparent by his tone that he boasted a fair amount of life experience. A slight bitterness wormed its way into Colin's heart, stemming from the fact that they were the same age. Motoyasu continued, "Well~ Eventually, they kinda found out about each other and then..."

"They killed you for two-timing or something?" Finished Naofumi. Motoyasu said nothing, pursing his lips and averting eye contact. Naofumi stared at him in disbelief. "You! Grah! Unbelievable!" Shouted Naofumi, throwing a couch pillow at The Spear Hero. Naofumi slid his hands down his face in annoyance. "Can we please change the subject?"

Everyone held vacant gazes at The Spear Hero with neither sympathy nor condemnation to be found.

"Women can be terrifying," shivered Motoyasu, seemingly unfazed.

"Ahem! I'll go next," spoke Itsuki. "Last I remember, I was on my way home from prep school. I was going to cross the road when I saw a dump truck peel around the corner, barreling towards me. Next thing I knew, I was in the middle of that summoning circle."

Colin internally grimaced, "Oh, that's rough." Getting run over did not sound like any way to go, not that Motoyasu's death was any more graceful.

"Does that mean everyone here got reincarnated except for Colin and me?" Said Naofumi. The other heroes seemed to expect this reaction for reasons Colin didn't quite understand.

"Seems so. How'd you get here?" Colin asked, but Naofumi seemed hesitant.

"Do I have to say? I doubt my experience is going to live up to any of yours. I mean, I don't even know what happened."

Colin smiled in reassurance. "Don't worry too much about how it happened. It's important we all have a good understanding of our situation. After all, this is uncharted territory."

Naofumi sighed, "Don't say I didn't warn you... Before I arrived, I was browsing the library for new books I could read. I had run out of spending money this month, so I didn't have the leeway to make any purchases for light novels or games. I was browsing a shelf when I stumbled upon a book. I don't remember what it talked about word for word, but it was an introduction to the legendary heroes, the Four Cardinal Heroes, I mean. I didn't read anything about a ring. When I got to the section about the shield, the book's pages were blank, and there was a flash of light. I fell down and saw I had this." Naofumi held up the small shield which clung to his arm. "I didn't reincarnate, nor did I get any strange visitors. I just found myself here."

The three heroes had pity plastered across their faces. Naofumi was confounded, but the feeling quickly disappeared as he noticed Colin was still listening.

"Your situation is the same as mine then," said Colin. "I'll admit the circumstances leading up to it are vastly different, but did I have the same thing happen to me. The light, the sudden displacement. It all sounds similar." Colin said. "Well then, we might as well enjoy ourselves in the meantime. There's a feast coming soon, and it's not every day we get to experience otherworldly cuisine." Colin reached into the fruit bowl, pulling a berry off a vine, a fruit that looked like a grape but had the coloration and texture of a blueberry. "Here, I haven't got to try these yet, but the peach-looking ones were pretty good." Colin popped a berry into his mouth and handed the vine off to Naofumi, who took it, albeit a bit awkwardly. He wasn't used to talking without formalities with someone older than himself.

"Tastes like passion fruit, weird, right?" Colin snickered.

Naofumi plucked a berry off the vine and began to chew. As he did, he felt his nerves start to fade away. Something about them being the only two summoned without weapons made him feel like they could get along. With Colin extending an olive branch, Naofumi felt inclined to let his guard down.

"Yeah, it does," chuckled Naofumi.

Colin pushed the bowl to the three heroes. "The king might not have any of this at the banquet. You guys should get a bite, too, before you miss the chance." Itsuki let out a breath. Seeing how relaxed Colin was, he finally let loose the excitement building up all this time. In fact, all the heroes did.

Itsuki laughed, gesturing over to the tray of cheese and crackers. "Alright, but you've got to try these too. They're not bad, but it's not what I expected."

"Might as well if we don't see them later," said Motoyasu as he split a pseudo peach down the middle, letting out a loud "Woah" at the sight of its seed-speckled innards.

Ren finally sat down, and although he never dropped his stoic demeanor, his child-like curiosity was evident in the face he made, silently taste-testing the array of cheeses.

From then on, the conversation devolved into talk about games, movies, manga, and things that were unique to their versions of the Earth. Although Colin made a point of keeping the topic on the games they played, he couldn't make sense of what they were describing, as they were all vastly different experiences. When he noticed that Naofumi, who had been a bit down since he arrived, was now all starry-eyed and smiling, Colin gave him a light nudge.

"We're heroes if only for a moment," he said. "That means no matter what happens, we were called here to do great things. You can take pride in that even with a shield."

Naofumi stared at him and then shrugged. "Ah… What the hell." He sat up from the couch, moving out to the balcony. Holding onto the guard railing, he shouted into the air, "Come at me, world! I'll take you on!" His challenge was carried into the wind and disappeared into the night. At that moment, the starry night sky shimmered like diamonds upon a blackened canvas, and the light of the full moon cast silvery threads down into the sleeping city. Even dormant, it felt alive, lit up by countless little lights from the windows to the lamp posts. Naofumi couldn't help but wonder where those lights might lead, the people he would meet, the sights he would see.

"You got him riled up. That's for sure," chuckled Motoyasu, and just then, the heroes heard a knock on the door. The maid from before returned, giving a polite bow before speaking.

"I apologize for the wait, brave heroes; preparing the final course took some time. Forgive us for any inconvenience we may have caused."

"Don't sweat it," said Motoyasu. "I was just about ready for dinner anyway."

"This otherworld business has turned out to be pretty interesting so far, don't you think?" Asked Itsuki.

Ren merely nodded his head, opting to follow along silently.

"You coming?" Colin asked Naofumi, and he nodded.

"Alright, let's go."

The dining table nearly stretched from one end of the room to the other, and many colorful dishes blotted out the pattern along the tablecloth. Naofumi was stunned. The scene before him wasn't quite what he expected. He had read plenty of fantasy novels where a king or royal figure prepared banquets. He never gave their parties so much as a second thought. But now, living in the moment for himself, he began to understand the time and effort it must have taken to prepare for such an event. The first thing the books forget to tell you about is the smell, the savory scent of the meat, the fragrance of the variety of spices, and the sweetness that wafted from the fruit platters alongside the sour wine. Naofumi fixed his eyes upon a serving tray of roasted chickens, seven in total. The way they glistened in the light of the crystal chandelier gave their skin a golden glow. Despite himself, Naofumi felt his stomach quietly growling at the sight of it.

"Heroes, the night is yours. Please enjoy yourselves; it is His Majesty's desire that you are all most comfortable in your stay." An older-looking butler with graying hair gave a dignified bow with an outstretched palm, gesturing to the table. Motoyasu, Ren, and Itsuki quickly took up seats and plates before digging into mountains of dishes with a kind of leisure that made them look right at home. Naofumi couldn't help but be mystified as he grabbed a small plate for appetizers and loaded it with a heap of mashed potatoes and gravy and a side of peas with a few buttery drumsticks dotted with rosemary and drizzled in oil.

"I can't believe it!" Cried Motoyasu. "It really does exist, manga meat!" Naofumi watched as Motoyasu pointed out a massive slab of meat, still on the bone, that sat on a bed of sliced and roasted potatoes caramelized perfectly in a sweet sauce. Motoyasu cut a sliver of meat off the bone, spilling fresh juices and gracing the table with the scent of a perfectly marinated dish. If ecstasy was a person that night, it was Motoyasu, his face practically melting with pleasure after each bite. Ren was no different in his own right, cutting into a flank of roasted pork and soaking each piece in the sauce that dotted the plate. Itsuki retained a dignified demeanor, portioning his dish evenly and taking less than the other two heroes. Like Ren, however, his eyes betrayed the childlike joy he felt in the moment.

Spurred on by the atmosphere, Naofumi took a bite from one of his drumsticks. The savory flavor of roasted meat washed over his tongue, and with just the right amount of fat, the meat practically melted in his mouth. Next, he moved on to the potatoes, then the peas. Fluffy white forkfuls of gravy in infused mash went down seamlessly. After a while, Naofumi forgot his eating pace, simply going till his plate was nearly licked clean. Once the food had all but disappeared, Naofumi subtly sank into his chair with an audible exhale. His eyes wandered, and then he noticed something was off.

"Where did Colin go?" He thought. Naofumi had seen Colin take a plate full of food back to the table around the same time he did. Only then did he realize Colin was returning to his seat after circling the table for his second serving. His plate looked just as full as the last. Naofumi couldn't help but voice his surprise; after all, he had barely finished his plate.

"Was everyone that hungry? I can't remember the last time I've seen someone eat as much as you guys." Chuckled Naofumi. Colin looked him dead in the eye, speaking only after swallowing a bite of gravy-soaked chicken.

"I might've agreed with you if the reaction wasn't warranted. I don't know what the chef did to that gravy to make it so rich, but, mhm~, it tastes divine." Colin was pink in the cheeks, sipping down on red wine.

A little over fifteen minutes had passed since they first entered the dining hall, Naofumi surmised. "How is he getting drunk so fast?" Naofumi made a silent note to keep an eye on him. He had friends back in his world whom he had to escort after they got wasted at drinking parties. He wanted to spare Colin the embarrassment of passing out on the first day. After all, Naofumi felt thankful to him to a degree.

After being summoned to this world, Naofumi couldn't help but worry about his future here. In a way, this situation was a dream come true, but he couldn't help but feel the expectations the people had for him weren't the same as they had for the other three of The Four Cardinal Heroes. It didn't help that he was stuck with a shield of all things to fight The Waves with. Then there was Colin, a tag along to the Four Heroes according to the King; Naofumi couldn't see any significant differences. Like himself, Colin didn't have any weapons. He remembered Motoyasu mentioned Colin being a magic-based class. Still, considering Naofumi had a magic window in his menu, he felt Colin's abilities wouldn't shine compared to the other three heroes, who most likely had the same. Regardless of the circumstances, however, Colin didn't seem to be dismayed by that fact, which seemed strange at the time, and with that overly friendly attitude, he tried to cheer him up. Naofumi didn't hate his enthusiasm. Rather, it was a bit infectious.

"Pah! You know, I've never really been big on alcohol, but this one tastes sweet. I might as well be drinking fruit juice. Hic!" Colin spoke with a minor slurring of his words.

"The wine's not going anywhere. I know you wanted to try everything before it's gone, but if you keep going like that, you'll get sick before tomorrow." Laughed Naofumi.

"Ah~ Maybe you're right. Still, this is nice. I'm glad there was more than enough food for everyone tonight. I'd feel bad if I forced a compromise just because I dropped in out of nowhere."

"Speaking of which, you didn't talk much about yourself back in the waiting room. You said you had a job back in your world?"

Colin nodded. "Yeah, but I make it sound much grander than it actually is. I'm self-employed in actuality, working for the church at the moment." Laughed Colin.

"For the church?" Thought Naofumi.

"How does that work?"

"...People want comfort in trying times. There are many things back in my world that most would consider unnatural. When folks find themselves on the butt end of something strange or unexplainable, I get called to check it out."

"You believe in that stuff..?

"I've seen the supernatural for myself. Counting the whole summoning business, haven't you as well?"

"Well, I guess you can count this, so perhaps there's some truth." Naofumi rubbed his chin in contemplative thought.

"Does that mean you dealt with ghosts and the like?"

"If it was within my ability to handle, sure."

"..." "Wow," thought Naofumi. That response wasn't something he expected. "I guess even alternate versions of Earth had their fair share of troubles."

"It wasn't all bad. A few incidents were pretty wholesome compared to the usual doom and gloom that the talk of passing brings. You know, this last year has been pretty interesting in its own right. I was chasing down a cryptid sighting by an abandoned lighthouse..." Colin paused, letting his head fall into his palm with a pained expression. "...Sorry, what was I talking about again?"

"Hey, are you okay?" Naofumi leaned in, noticing Colin's face turn paler than usual.

"I'm good... I guess I'm just a bit tired." Colin's eyes wandered. Something had to be troubling him. Naofumi felt a tinge of guilt.

"Let's call it a night then. We've got a long day tomorrow, you especially. Come on, I'll help take you back to the bedroom." Naofumi subtly moved the wine-filled chalice from Colin's hands and helped him to his feet.

"Sorry about this, I might've overdone it." Colin struggled as the blood rushed to his head.

"Don't worry. Just think of it as me paying back a favor."

"Hm?"

"It's nothing."

Itsuki noticed the two sit up from their chairs. "You guys finished already? That was fast."

"Sorry, Colin's just a bit tired. You guys go on without us for a moment. I'll catch up later."

Itsuki waved to the two of them while Motoyasu and Ren barely noticed, still immersed in the revelry.

Naofumi called out to a nearby maid. "Sorry, he's a bit of a lightweight. Could you take us back to the bedrooms?"

The maid gave a formal bow before responding. "As you wish, Sir Hero." Quietly, she led them out of the dining room and into the hall.

Memories of his life back home came to mind from a time when he and his brother were much younger. Naofumi could almost feel the warm breeze of that summer's night and hear his parents unloading camping supplies from the car while his sleeping brother piggybacked his brother out of the backseat.

"Some things never change, huh?" He murmured to himself.

Brushing against the bed's silk sheets, Colin nestled himself into the mattress, holding his head and minding his stomach. The room was spinning, but his present concern was not his drunkenness. Something was wrong. After that conversation with Naofumi, Colin realized the many gaps within his memory. The past year of his life had vanished entirely within his mind. He strained to recall anything, but that feeling slipped from his grasp even when he felt he was on the cusp of recollection. The last thing he remembered was boarding his boat after snagging his case file on the lighthouse sightings.

Something had been done to him. That had to have been the case. Colin surmised that his memory loss wasn't natural. Colin tried to focus his thoughts, only to feel a rush of bile surge through his throat. Quickly, he covered his mouth and flopped onto the floor as he made his way to the waste bin in the corner of the room. Colin released the sickness, and his brain rocked with a sway. It was a sign that nothing was getting done while wine was in his blood. Colin groaned as his head hit the pillow.

It didn't take long for exhaustion to overcome him as Colin drifted off to sleep. As the chandelier's light faded into darkness, Colin felt a splash of water across his face. He opened his eyes to a muddy road dotted with puddles from settling rain. The salty smell of the sea permeated the night, even through the rain-soaked soil. Colin sat up from the patch of wet grass he had been lying upon and wiped the mud from his cheek. Colin stood to his feet as he gazed upward at the old abandoned lighthouse.

"Back?" He murmured. The scenery was exactly the same as when he first arrived, only now the chains that barred the door were severed and dropped to the floor in a heap. The entryway stood open, beckoning him forward with a light trail of iridescent feathers. Colin stumbled forward and ascended the lighthouse steps, thankful he felt sober enough to retain balance. A soft tune could be heard from above. Colin thought he could recognize the melody despite being unable to name it. It was nostalgic in a sad way.

Colin reached the highest floor just as the wind had all but died down, and before him was Juno standing under the moonlight with her arms leaning up against a window as she hummed to herself.

"So… We meet again," said Colin. He didn't know what tone he should take with her. He felt responsible for taking on her burden, but by the same token, he had an inkling that she knew the reason behind his recent memory loss.

"It seems we have." Juno's smile made Colin's heart skip a beat. "If I had known we could see each other like this, I would not have been so hasty in my goodbye," she said with flushed cheeks. Her dress, which had been frayed from her shoulder to her abdomen, now looked brand new.

"On another note, I can see you've recovered. What happened to your wound?"

"After you did such a good job patching it up, it healed all on its own. It's all thanks to your kindness and loving care," Juno smiled impishly. Colin's eyes shifted to the back end of the room she once lay in, bloodied and mangled.

"…Juno, there's a lot we need to discuss."

"Very well, then ask away," continued Juno, guiding Colin to an aged wooden table with two stools on opposite ends. The two of them sat down.

"…Tell me, who are you, and I mean, who are you really?"

Juno brushed back a strand of hair from her eyes. Her blue dress shimmered under the light of her ever-glowing wings. "I suspect you mean, who am I to you? Or, how do we know each other?" replied Juno. "I wasn't mistaken then… You don't remember me."

"Was I supposed to?"

"…It would make sense if you did, but perhaps it's better that you don't. Your circumstances are complicated, to say the least."

"How so?"

"You have been made a hero, guardian of the world. You will be at your weakest and most vulnerable at the earliest stages of that transformation."

"Does that have something to do with the gaps in my memory?"

"Right now, your memories would do you more harm than good. I suspect this is the ring's protection at work. Believe me when I say many aspects of your life back on Earth put you in terrible danger."

"Believe you?" Colin had to bite down the growing frustration. "How can I be sure that you're not the danger? Juno, I want to trust you, so please be straight with me. How did we know each other?"

Juno paused, studying Colin carefully. "You and I were partners. For better or worse, a tragedy was in motion, and we both had a part to play. We sought to overturn destiny and rewrite our futures together. Your world was as beautiful as it was cruel. It changed you."

Colin held her gaze, "Changed me? Changed me how?"

Juno reached out to touch his wrist. Colin had half a mind to pull away. There was something about her presence that was too familiar. He couldn't understand why he was used to her touch.

"You still carry this with you," she said, brushing past his sleeve to reveal a set of rosary beads tied around his forearm. The wooden cross hung in the air, swaying.

"Why wouldn't I? It was a gift from Father Marcus." Colin recalled the days he spent drifting from place to place after he ran from home. Colin could see invisible things for as long as he could remember. Sometimes, they were spirits; sometimes, they were things far more powerful, but always, they lurked beyond the veil where none but him could see. It went without saying that nobody believed him, no matter who he told. The only person in his life who he could talk to was his sister, Amanda. They were born twins, Amanda and himself; she was born white-haired and pale-skinned, and her eyes were a light shade of pink. Although she couldn't see invisible things, she could hear them. Often, she recounted events she wasn't around to witness. The twins were close because they could only confide in each other, but Amanda disappeared one day. Amanda vanished along a hiking trail along with a group of her friends.

The news was devastating; twelve months would go by with no updated information. But when Colin heard talk among the unseen, they saw a curious girl with hair white as snow, Colin chased down those rumors, hoping to find clues of her whereabouts, but his father grew restless when he discovered what his son was doing. The two of them had an argument and then a falling out, which led to Colin running with little possessions and nowhere to go. Then, he encountered Father Marcus Hughes, a Christian pastor who listened to the young man's grief. Father Marcus believed Colin's story and thought that he might be able to find his missing sister. So, Father Marcus taught him how to follow the clues without being led astray and deal with malevolent forces that would prey upon him. Colin had a knack for dealing with the supernatural.

Eventually, Colin would find himself helping other folks with similar troubles as supernatural occurrences crept up along a steady incline. Colin, at times, encountered issues he couldn't solve on his own, and thus, Father Marcus would be called instead. When Colin understood that his problems didn't end with Amanda, he agreed to work with Father Marcus and has been ever since.

"I'm glad. If you were your past self, you would have discarded it."

"What for?"

"Lost sentiments, perhaps the feeling that you couldn't live up to expectations, I don't know in truth. But I can say no more. The future depends on your success, and I won't risk that by digging up old skeletons." Juno's final words rang in the air like a static shock. Colin surmised that for better or worse, he wouldn't get a rise out of her if he pushed.

"At least tell me this." Colin pleaded. "If we were partners, colleagues in the truest sense, then you should know. About the search regarding my sister, did anything come of it?"

"...Not yet. Let me say this. I wouldn't ask you to abandon your world to save mine. I don't want that. But if we succeed here, your search can end. In the historical texts, it has been said that a hero is granted a wish from the world upon fulfilling their duty."

"A wish? From your world?" A shiver crept down his spine. If what she said was true, he could return home to his father and have a family again. That hope was akin to sweet nectar, and Colin drank deeply.

"Yes, it was a covenant to bind all heroes, that they would be granted boons for their services and a choice to stay or return. The fact that the ring has chosen you as its next bearer proves that magic is still in effect."

"Has it happened before? A hero being granted a wish?"

"It has. I read that the fifteenth Armor Hero caused the lands to rise from the sea at a time when the Primals were the race to dominate the archipelago. When the islands joined the sky, the Primals lost their right to power." Juno surmised.

"Okay, then, how do I stop The Waves? As it stands, I've not been dubbed much of a fighter with the weapon restriction in place. Unless you'd have me punch the monsters to death."

"Therein lies the crux of our issue. I've seen the harbinger of The Collapse firsthand. This problem is not one of nature, unlike what that monarch would have you believe."

"You mean back at the throne room? You were there?" Asked Colin.

"No, but you were. So long as you're around, I can watch over you. Granted, this only extends as far as you will it. You needn't worry about me seeing your unmentionables," teased Juno. A silent chuckle escaped him.

"The Waves are a man-made disaster; of this, I am certain. When the monsters descended upon my world, they were led by a summoner. The harbinger acted as supreme commander, a general of generals if you will; knowing this, I've no doubt that they will return to the fight, even if the battlefield has changed. Perhaps it's more accurate to say that the fight already encompassed many battlefields. I'm sure there's something to be gained from targeting these worlds."

"It seems to me that finding the harbinger is my primary goal then. How likely is it this guy's gonna show his face when the next wave hits?"

"Not very; they're the cautious type. I only saw the summoner's face once during the invasion of Anulustrum. We'll have to make some noise to get his attention."

"Before we go any further, I need clarification on some things."

"Go ahead."

"First off, what is Anulustrum? I saw mention of the name in the void I was summoned to."

"Anulustrum was my nation's capital. It was an island at the heart of the Volaran island cluster. To many, it was considered the city of origin for Skywing and home to The Hero of The Ring. The land there was fertile, making it one of the largest islands with rich soil. Because of this, Anulustrum was the country's biggest food export and the foundation of our self-sustainability."

"Which made it a target for waves when they understood they could cripple a nation of the world and potentially erase one of its protective guardians." Colin surmised.

"Exactly," she replied.

"It shouldn't be a stretch to assume then that a nation that summoned four heroes in one place would be targeted for the same reasons. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that the country was named after The King, so Melromarc, in this case. Given The King's initial reaction, I don't think our enemy knows that Melromarc summoned five heroes instead of four. While all eyes are on the four heroes, I can start doing background checks on the people around them. If this harbinger is as cautious as you say, they'll be close by watching and waiting. It's what I would do if I were in their shoes."

"That's all well and good, but you won't remain a wallflower. The fact is that just you, being from another world, will draw attention from all sorts of people. Your appearance doesn't exactly make you forgettable either."

"That won't matter if my goal is to weed out this guy in the long run. In fact, it might help matters. If the harbinger notices something out of the ordinary, there's a good chance they'll come running to monitor the situation. What they don't know is I'll be waiting too. Unfortunately for them, I'm very perceptive; I'm bound to catch something the minute they start working their powers."

"While that may be true, we can't count on the fact that the harbinger won't try to eliminate you early on should you prove to be a threat."

"Maybe, but they won't move independently if that's the case."

"What makes you say that?" Juno asked.

"Do you remember Melromarc's prophecy? It was small, but there was a detail that clued into the possibility our enemy may be subject to the same restrictions we heroes are. The King mentioned that the waves would grow in strength and ferocity with each iteration and that the heroes would have to do the same. If we account for the fact that it's an individual and not a natural phenomenon responsible for The Waves, then it should be safe to assume that the enemy ought to be starting off in a weakened state, much like we are. I wouldn't be so sure if it wasn't for the existence of status magic, which naturally imposes such restrictions on its users. With that in mind, the harbinger won't be the first to move if it's just the two of us, not while they think it is an equal playing field."

Colin pinched the ring along his finger, allowing the gemstone to catch the moonlight. "Knowing my ability becomes more important than ever, however. As this talk is all mere theory and conjecture, it is, as you say, that going in blind will be undoubtedly foolish. So how do I make use of the ring like the heroes past?"

"The Spear Hero, Motoyasu Kitamura, wasn't too far off the mark in his guess. The ring is a primarily magic-based tool with powerful utility skills. To make the most out of it, spells are first needed."

Colin grimaced. "Here I was hoping he might have been wrong about that."

"I know you've had trouble regarding the subject in the past, but I can assure you, much like my magic, the ring has nothing to do with your world's sorcery. This power is nothing like a Beldam's."

Beldam, the very name, still made his hair stand up on end. They were one of many occult beings Colin couldn't handle alone. Beldams were hags or witches who could use sorcery. They fed off of negativity, like leeches, and brought disaster wherever they went. He'd seen firsthand what happens to those upon whom they prey. Good men and women go insane seemingly out of the blue, either to die horrible deaths or be forced to live out an existence far worse than one. Sorcery corrupted the caster in turn, transforming what were once misguided young women foolish enough to dabble into grotesque crones. The worst of them never stayed dead, feeding off of the lives of others to exact more untold pain and suffering. If evil had a face, Colin was sure it would be a Beldam.

"Even still, that reluctance isn't easily shaken after you've witnessed their works."

"Then allow me to show you. So I can teach you as well." Juno got up, making her way toward the center of the room. Standing upright with her back to the window, Juno took a deep breath. Rings of silver gossamer thread began to peel away from her scalp. Glowing thread hummed in the air as it coiled and wrapped around her neck, creeping along her shoulders and down to her arms like a growing vine.

"Hear me, for my voice is the one that beckons. By the origin of power, I've read and deciphered a law of nature. Grant unto me fire, that I may light my way through the darkest night. Fast Flare."

The silver thread weaved itself into shape as silk-threaded patterns enshrouded her palms. A spark flew from her hands before bursting into a bright red flame. Juno coddled the flame as if it were something delicate.

"To begin using the ring's power, you must first learn a spell. A beginner's spell would be safest for the time being. What I did will suffice as the catalyst for your acquisition. Now, all you need to do is attempt to draw out that power."

Colin reluctantly got to his feet, and Juno brushed past him with the flame in hand. "I don't suppose you see any new wrinkles?"

"...Fair enough, I don't."

Colin stepped forward, stretching his arms in anticipation. "Alright, how do I do what you just did?"

"Magic begins with the mind. First, focus on your intent. What is it you're trying to accomplish?"

Colin let the question stew about. "Let's just keep things simple," He thought. "I'll start a fire, same as you did."

"Begin by devising your methods. How did this fire start? Then simply speak its name, and it will heed you."

Colin shifted his feet in a box stance, holding his hand before him while feeling slightly silly. He closed his eyes and let the thought of fire fill his consciousness. Colin saw a bonfire atop a mound of blackened logs, crackling while spitting sparks and embers. In his hand, he held a ball of silk yarn. Carefully, Colin pinched an end of the thread and fed it to the flames. He watched as the heat singed the silk and began to devour it. As the fire slowly traveled along the thread, an otherworldly sensation passed over him, knowledge filling his mind.

"Avarice is how man knows her. Greedy is she, for all she touches, she consumes. Born of heat and sister to light, she yields to none, beholden only to her own whims and desires. It is life from which she feasts, yet in her wake, life is born again. Though hungry, satiated she will never be, as drink and death will surely follow. Her name is..."

"Fire!" In that instant, a shock ran down his neck. Fine gossamer thread wrapped around the length of his arms. Patterns were woven from his palms. It was a sign he unconsciously recognized, the mark of a name. The sigils glowed red hot, and the skin of his palms burned with intensity, yet no pain followed. A rush of electricity filled his mind as sparks sprung from the sigils, then a coiling flame. Like two vipers in a battle for dominance, two tendrils wrapped around one another and grew, expanding within his hands. It felt alive, yet it was a part of him all the same. Colin felt the heat in his blood as a passion filled his being. The mote of light flickered in the wind, blowing through him, and Colin drank it in with great fervor. The flame danced as its tendrils probed the air around him, but a voice called out just before they could graze his skin.

"Colin, that's enough," Juno said firmly.

The flame died the moment Colin snapped back to reality. He looked down only to feel the electricity ebb away from his fingers. The thread unraveled from his arms, falling wistfully as it evaporated into nothingness.

Colin gasped, feeling like he just sprinted a mile. "Wha... D-Did I just do it?"

"Indeed. Rejoice you have an affinity for magic. You just channeled fire as naturally as a Primal born of a bellowing mountain."

Colin's knees felt weak, and he shakily sat on the floor to keep himself from falling. "I-I saw thread woven into patterns. Somehow, I knew they were names."

Juno pursed her lips in contemplation. "Magicians often experience mana differently from one another. I suppose your eyes might also have a part to play in the matter. As for why you saw what you did, I'm afraid I can't help you much in that regard."

Colin groaned as a sickening emptiness filled his head. After utilizing this ability, he understood it wasn't magic at all. It was an aspect of nature and science that had always been there, just out of view. It did not claim to be servile to pagan idols nor to be above the lord's authority; simply put, it was as it had always been made in the eye of the divine. It was only magic in name, a title given to this fantasy-like ability to manipulate raw elements and nothing more. Touching the flame had been incredibly pleasurable; for a moment, he felt full. The desire to fill himself once more passed over him with great intensity. Colin was apprehensive; he knew this ability could become dangerous if handled without care and that it would take great discipline to master. He couldn't help but wonder why this ability existed; it called into question what the holy weapons were in the first place and, by extension, the nature of the waves.

To take his mind off things, he started asking questions. "I can barely control it. How am I supposed to use this?"

"It's not as straightforward as merely producing effects through a chant. Spells are forbidden to you as the bearer of the ring; however, their effects are not. What you've just experienced is the beginning of a spell without a form, the foundation of your power. In order to use it to the best of your ability, you will need to start giving your magic commands."

"I don't understand. Didn't you say I needed to learn spells to use the ring?"

"Learn yes, but it is impossible to cast them. Much like the other legendary weapons, the ring needs to consume in order to grow in power; however, unlike the other legendary weapons, the ring has the unique property of deconstructing spells."

"So I deconstruct spells and use their base properties? Does that mean I can create new spells with the spare parts?"

"Precisely. The more complex the magic, the more substantial the yield. However, consider that you must first be fit to wield the magic. You won't be able to deconstruct a spell that is beyond you. You should also know your abilities will strengthen as you sacrifice materials and spells. For example, your fire will become more potent if you learn more fire-type spells or give up materials with an aspect of fire."

Colin grimaced. "This whole system of power is so uncanny to me; nothing feels genuine, like it's all just some illusion trying hard to convince me otherwise. That this magic works like a board game I knew doesn't help matters."

"To be honest, many past heroes felt the same," Juno replied. "Though they were more ecstatic than suspicious of their abilities."

"That's a problem. Overconfidence kills." Colin moved to his feet. "You've shown me once what the hero's loss looks like; if possible, I'd like to avoid seeing it a second time." His hands shook, but he reached for a stool to rest his body. "On a side note, would you mind explaining what mana, the Primals, and the Created are? You mentioned them a few times, so they seem kind of important."

"Where to begin?" Juno pursed her lips. "Well, the topic of mana should be simple enough. Mana is described as the unseen energy. All things of the world exhibit it in some fashion, though mana is abundant in areas with pure conditions present. All things exhibit mana, but that mana changes based on its origin. Fire mana will come from sources of heat and flame. Mana is not without form; to create specific phenomena, mana must first be molded into a particular shape, a process typically falling to incantations and the like. Now, tieing in magicians into this, magicians are defined as manipulators of unseen energy, able to shape mana by recognizing existing patterns in nature and using their own mana akin to a third limb to mold it into a desired form."

"It seems like the kind of activity that would be better left untouched if you ask me. All that shaping and changing can end badly if you aren't careful," Colin added.

"You're not wrong, but understand there are limits. Your fatigue after a conjuring of fire is a good example. Despite being able to do so, it takes much finesse and willpower to shape nature through mana. Magicians won't be able to cast beyond their ability. Magicians must make every second count, ideally never wasting energy on a spell that won't achieve a goal the first time. This is also why the intent is necessary for you especially. You must be clear and concise with your commands; even if you join with nature through mana as you seek to mold it, that doesn't automatically make it part of your nature." Juno cautioned.

"Noted. Commands will be highest on my list of priorities."

"Then, moving on to Primals and the Created. Primals and the Created were much like Skywing and Humans, respectively. Primals were creatures born of elemental forces. They came in the forms of many creatures, but when one referred to the Primals as a race of people, it was regarding the ones that took on the Human form. Primals were adept at mana manipulation, having natural-born affinities for the elements by which they were conceived. This was further reinforced by their inherited resistance to their birth element. Beyond what they were capable of in magic, they could transform into elemental forces capable of altering their home environments. The Primals were formidable in that way. As for the Created, they were a race of people designed and maintained by Humans. They most commonly were machines or dolls maintained for warfare or spellcasting. Due to their mechanical nature, Created were unique in that they thrived in locations where development was high. With intelligence on par with the other races, their mechanical adaptability allowed for feats never before seen in the history of the world. A good example would be many war-built Created and their ability to operate complex vehicles as if they were part of their own bodies. Does that bring you up to speed?"

"Yeah, I feel like I've got the gist."

"Good. Then, I'd like to tell you about three more aspects of the ring. First is the class system. I'm sure you will be decently familiar with this concept. The class system is a collection of specializations by which you can further augment your spells; this process is done through profession. For example, though the legendary weapon restricts you from wielding other weapons with intent, should you find and deconstruct sword blades, spearheads, and the like, you would be granted skills appropriate for a magician who fights like a warrior. This plays into the ring's supportive nature in that you can use these skills to assist companions who boast the corresponding profession. The class system is primarily used for this purpose, but you can still reap many benefits from choosing to specialize your abilities."

"Yet another system that plays out like a game," muttered Colin. "I'm curious as to why these powers were conceived in such a way."

"To familiarize the summoned heroes with their abilities from what I understand. According to legend, summoned heroes are meant to have a deep understanding of the holy weapons and their powers."

Colin rubbed his chin in thought. "Alright, then, what about the second and third aspects?"

"The next aspect is another way of strengthening allies: the bestowal system, for lack of a better term. The bestowal system is a way of sharing spells and abilities by storing them in charms." Juno tugged along the pouch that hung around her neck. "I believe you've already seen this ability in action. Though the form stored spells take is often different from hero to hero, your predecessor's charms were marbles, for example."

"Can I do this with any ability I learn? What if I granted a charm with a spell to someone who isn't a magician?"

"The simple answer is that they can do nothing with it. Requirements to use spells and skills must still be met before all is said and done. There is a caveat to this; however, though they need to be fit to use these abilities, they don't need any prior training. Granting heroes ring-related skills unique to heroes is a notable instance."

Juno gently moved her still-burning flame from the table, watching it flicker inches above her palms. "The final strengthening method is the mastery system. This system ties into the ring's spellcraft and the class system, respectively." Juno fed the flame a steady stream of power through the woven thread that caused it to fluctuate and grow, sputtering and twisting into a refined bright blue flame. "When you strengthen a spell, class, or skill to its maximum potential, you will be granted a boon. This boon can be almost anything, ranging from magical effects to conjuring artifacts as trophies. In truth, not much was known about the extent of this ability. Past ring heroes described it as an achievement system, but past rewards have been recorded as ranging from extremely potent abilities to hardly useful at all. Though this can be a powerful ability under the right circumstances, I wouldn't rely on it for anything beyond simply increasing ability potency."

"Interesting. Now, this is great, but I noticed one thing that seems crucial to all these systems."

Juno tilts her head curiously as the flame in her hands snuffs out. "That being?"

"I need a partner or at least someone I can start bouncing a majority of these skills off of. Isn't that right?"

Juno's expression visibly darkened as she averted her eyes from his gaze. "Yes, you're exactly right. I mentioned this in our hasty farewell, but the summoned hero was ceremonially offered a tie to the world to ensure the ring's growth. Typically, this was done through a rigorous selection process where only the finest champion was chosen as the hero's companion. At the time you accepted the mantle of hero, I was the one who provided that role as a substitute. I'm sure you realize, but I can't travel with you as an ordinary warrior might. Some circumstances keep me here, preventing me from doing so. I can provide you wisdom, knowledge, and respite, but nothing more... You'll need to find someone to fight alongside you to combat the waves. In that sense, it's fortunate you're in a world where you can do so."

The room grew quiet, and the two remained still. Colin felt he should say something but couldn't find the words. With that shadow cast over her eyes, it would've been hard for him to start asking who he should look for. She seemed forlorn over the nature of a champion, but he didn't understand why.

"Back in the lighthouse, the first time we met like this. What is it you were trying to tell me?"

Juno clung to her necklace, gripping it tight in both hands; only then did Colin notice the golden ring was still there. "Something I wish I had told you before you got here. Now, the words are beyond me." Juno leaned forward to bury her head in Colin's chest, and Colin held her in a warm embrace.

"Can we stay like this for just a little longer?" Colin didn't answer her, merely pulling her close. She smelled of vanilla and lavender. He felt the lingering exhaustion from the earlier conjuring begin to take hold of him, his eyes growing heavier from the strain. Colin drifted off to sleep with the scent of Juno in his arms and woke up to the sight of his disheveled bed in The King's guest room.

A maid gently nudged him, "Sir hero, his Majesty requests your presence..."