Welcome!

This is my first ever story, something I've wanted to do for a while… Also English is my second language, so apology for any grammatical issues

I don't own Rising of the Shield Hero or Live a Live…

Purgatory is believed to be a place where the dead travel through sand until they reach a court of judges who decide whether they should go to Heaven or Hell. This process is thought to serve as a brief penitential period, during which the sins of the deceased are cleansed.

In any case, some souls continue to wander for a variety of reasons even after arriving at their ultimate destination; some merely wish to assist others traveling with them, others simply wait for someone before they go to their final rest, while others…

A Man clad in bronze color armor walks through the sand as always, wandering by lonesome self, occasionally aiding any spirit traveling alone. He accompanies them until they arrive at the judges' court… where they part ways, and he returns to the sand for a long time…

Only a few know of him: Oersted, a former knight of Lucrece, vilified and demonized, who was overwhelmed by hate and despair, shaped historical events to exact vengeance on humanity for their wrongs. However, it was ultimately overcome and rescued by the Seven Heroes of Time.

Now roams the sands of purgatory despite arriving at the court of judges and being deemed absolved of all his sins. However, he declined, believing he was unworthy.

Deciding to lead those who he wrong and assist them to reach their final destination.

But on one day...

?: Oersted

The Fallen Knight turns and sees an odd white-cloaked figure carrying a sword. He's not sure who or what this is.

Oersted sighed and began to ask the stranger. "Look, if you're here to make me suffer for…" But instead by figure.

"Salutation! Sir Oersted." They greet him, before ensuring the man. "Please don't worry. I'm not here that, nor am I an agent of Heaven, if that's what you're thinking."

Oersted just stares at the figure. "Ok? Then who are you?" He asked. They simply replied. "Well, I don't have a name…". Then they bowed. "I am simply known as the Spirit of the Sword." The so-called 'Spirit' finished.

Oersted blankly responded. " ...never heard of you," The Spirit explained. "Not this universe…" Oersted raised an eyebrow, confused, but they continued. "To put it simply, think of me as a… Valkyrie who travels across universes, looking for warriors who can wield my power." Spirit finished.

Oersted didn't know how to think about it, 'A traveling Valkyrie',

He observed that the Ethereal Spirit, they seem a bit… uneasy? he then asked. "Then why are you here?" The Spirit looked with a solemn expression before signing, "The reason I am here is because the world that I and my siblings are guarding is in danger, and we need welders." Oersted raised an eyebrow, but it didn't answer his question. "... so?" He asked, his patience was running thin.

The Sword Spirit looked directly at him. " I want you to be my master." It declared. The request stunts the knight, and he stares at the spirit for a few seconds before responding. "What if I refuse?"

The Sword Spirit closed their eyes before responding. "Look, I'd known what happened, but If you accept my offer, you finally can be atoned, and if you complete this task, I will grant you any wish…" But Orestes turns away to tell the spirit. "no, I refused". He said, beginning to walk away.

The Sword Spirit widened in shock. "What... But why? Even if you don't want the wish, This is an opportunity to make up for…" The Knight stopped and gave a sideways glance.

"Look, I get it. However, he refuses on principle. Why do you just ask courtless souls in heaven? Hell, I can give you seven names you can…" But he is interrupted. "You think this is funny?" Said the Spirit in a stern tone. Oersted turned to face the Spirit. He was hoping they would just leave, but instead, they just started him.

"Of Course not!" Oersted exclaimed. "But you are clearly picking the wrong guy." He told the Spirit, who became annoyed. "Look, I can't just pick anyone, it doesn't work like that. A Being needs an anchor to be able to be brought to my world safely," The Spirit explained l, but the sentiment puzzled the knight. "what? Anchor?" He Asked

The Sword Spirit groans heavily in annoyance. "Basically, the chosen ones can be summoned; they need information about my world." But confused the Knight further. "huh? How does that work? It's a different world." Oersted's question is still trying to wrap his head around the concept. Sure, he was aware of the idea of time manipulation, reincarnation, and various other mystical and scientific concepts… But alternate universes? travel to those universes? And extradimensional Spirit? This is too bizarre for him.

The Being elaborated, "Put it simply, most universes, my world is nothing but merely fiction, that existed as a story, game, or even a dream. And you read a book about my world, an inaccurate version, but a version nonetheless." They explain

Oersted stared at them. "I see…" He wasn't sure if he understood. "... So I'd possess this anchor, but if there are many universes, then why.." But interrupted when the spirit suddenly appeared near his face, causing to fall on his rear.

The Spirit glared, "You are not my first, not even nine." They said in anger… But widened realizing what it just said. Oersted stood up. "So I am your 10th choice." He just sighed in defeat and admitted. "...yes." A guilt look on their face.

Oersted felt a little offended by the bottom choice… Then again, they were probably his young, arrogant self-talking. But still… "Then why me? Why not wait until one of your top picks gains their anchor" He asked

The Spirit just let a weary sigh before answering. "Look! I'm able to wait until one of my top picks can gain their archons, so they sent them to my world, but right now, no, some morons decided all four of us at once. Spear is cursing out a storm, Bow is in a panic, and the Shield, I don't even know." They vented out, their frustration was parent

Oersted sarcastically asked. "I assume that your weapons are called one at a time?" In a detached manner, causing the Sword Spirit's anger to flare up and yell at him, "Oh, you think? And you know what is the worst part? My 3rd choice had his anchor a few years ago, but he... he just…" Their words trailed off.

The Knight felt sympathy towards them but wondered what this warrior was. "He refused?" He asked, curiosity, and perhaps he might be able to make them reconsider…

The Sword Spirit averted their eyes before informing him. "No, he disappeared..."

Oersted just stared at that bewildered "What do you mean…" But suddenly, the Sword Spirit let out a frustrated yell, "I don't know! One moment, he was at school, and the next, he vanished!" They said fuming. "And I am unable to find him, I'd presume that he was summoned to another world" They finished

Oersted didn't understand who would summon someone away from… Wait? The Spirit said he was at school. Was he some type of apprentice? Why would they… But he decided to brush that idea aside and asked. "Okay, but there must be others; I mean, how bad can…"

Sword Spirit told him in a deadpan tone, "My next choice with an anchor is one winged madman who tried to reach godhood by dropping a f%/ing metro on his planet... So yeah, you are the last good option." They finished

The Knight was taken aback by ; they must be really desperate for a wielder.. But he was still uncertain, sure he can accept… But what if he… He began thinking back to his mistakes.

But recalled something:

"But if you focus only on the bad, judge them at their worst, well... You've already made up your mind, haven't you?" "Everything else is just an excuse!"

He was once again trying to shift, avoiding any responsibility, being too scared of what he might do…

He ultimately made his decision. He looked at the spirit. "I'd accepted." Which surprised them "Wait? Really? You Accept?" They said they seemed more joyful.

The Spirit extended their hand to offer the sword, hesitating at first…

But then the knight grabbed the blade and raised it, before inspecting the blade… It was nothing special but the only notable thing about it was the Blue Jewel on cross guard.

"So I guess you are my master now. So how do you feel?" The Sword Spirit said, gathering his attention. They seem to be in better mode now. "...funny, once I am asked to do an important task, but surely…." He talked about his worries. But the spirit stopped him by grabbing his hand with hand to assure him

"Don't worry noble warrior, as long stay true to... Huh?". They suddenly. Oersted looks at the spirit, who is staring at space, before snapping out and informing the knight. "It seems that the Shield has finally found her wielder. Looks like I am the last, oh well. I'd guess it's time to go." They said,

Oersted was gathered off guard that he needed to go. "Wait, don't I get to know where I am going…" But stopped by the Spirit "you will be summoned to the land of Melromarc, where you meet other Heroes and the ruler" They explain.

pondered this for a moment before asking, "Ok, any more advice?" He asked. The Spirit demeanor shifted to serious as they replied. "Yes, beware the court, especially the king, me and my sisters think there is fold play here, it's a long story, but you will soon understand". Oersted considered their words. "fold play," he mused; it seemed things were not going as simply as he anticipated. "I see, well thank you, giving this, Sir..." He thanked the spirit, but realized that… "By the way, are you sure that you don't have a name?" He asked, somewhat embarrassed.

The Sword Spirit just stood there like they were taken aback by just a simple question. "Well, officially no, but one of my masters did give me a name…

"Lenneth" They revealed.

The Knight bowed towards the spirit". Well that, thank you, Sir Le…" He started…. Before realization hit him and looked that… "wait, you're a wo…" But before he could finish that sentence, the knight vanished in a bright light, the Spirit alone. The wind blows her hood away, revealing a beautiful woman with long silver hair wearing a winged blue helmet.

Lenneth gives prayer to the knight. "Good luck, Oersted, may the heavens guide you…"

"... because you will need it"

Hope you all enjoy

Author notes

I been playing Live a Live a few times and though would be interesting idea to make Oersted the Sword Hero, since a common fanfic idea is replacing the "Cardinal stooges" with more competent heroes, Oersted, while a competent warrior, is a tragic figure who seeks redemption, who more emotionally unstable that the heroes.

Also this story takes place during the Far Future chapter of the game.

As for "Sword Spirit"... yes it's Lenneth from Valkyrie Profile

Thank you for reading my first fanfic and giving me a chance.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated