Chapter 2 : First Steps (1)

The portal's transfer is not instantaneous. as soon as I stepped inside it, a kaleidoscope like light assaulted me, my sense of balance and direction was now out of whack. The nausea was building up as I felt my vomit stuck in my throat.

After what feels like an eternity, I finally see an end of the kaleidoscope like space. A portal-like object opened up and swallowed me whole.

What follows is me appearing in a high altitude with a forest biome as I fall down.

*WHACK* *CRACK* *BOOM*

The trees break my fall, Sorry tree. My body is quite durable. I mean sure I still feel pain and whatnot, but I've survived falling from the atmosphere into lava. so this much is nothing for me.

I have no idea where I am right now. I really hope it's close to home, or else a flying man captured by modern surveillance will surely raise eyebrows.

Getting up and dusting myself, I picked a random direction and just walked into that direction.

It's high noon, as the sun shines brightly above me. I miss the feeling of serene walks like this. walking through the forest I noticed that the ambient sound it emits is quite pleasing, the birds flying around, the insects making insect sounds, and even the slithering snakes.

they all ran away from me the moment I entered their proximity. but nevertheless. It's quite enjoyable.

The sun was still high up in the air when I finally found a road. it seems to be a road less traveled, evident by its lack of care, and damages here and there. it doesn't concern me at all as I walk alongside it. hoping to find a settlement or a town.

===

After walking for some-time I finally found what seemed to be a bus stop. I'm starting to have my doubts about this road, but the well kept bus stop makes me think otherwise. So I quickly hasten my pace as I sit down on the bench waiting eagerly for the bus.

"Hey mister! Why do you wear that strange outfit?"

"?"

I look towards the voice and a little girl with red twin tails, wearing a sundress, a jacket over it. The girls looked at me curiously.

Then I look at myself. I looked haggard. holes in my black armor, as the red cloth that goes with it is either burnt, ripped or just missing in some part. my boots are still intact thankfully, but I noticed that my cape is missing. and so is one of my gauntlets. I look like someone in cosplay but the costume breaks down.

"... cosplay."

"Cosu-pleii? What's that mister?"

"You remember how you always wanted to be a princess?"

"But Eli is always a princess!" she smiled happily as if stating a fact.

"Yes yes Eli is a princess. Cosplay is good sometimes, guys also want to be superheroes! so we use costumes to pretend."

"hehehe you're such a funny mister. Why would you want to be a superhero? OH OH Are you shooting a movie Mister? That's why you're using a super secret made up word in front of Eli ?"

"hahahaha"

I laughed along with the little kid.

"Where's your parents Eli ?"

"Papa's has always been in the hospital, and papa said mama is in heaven!"

"..."

Did I just step on a landmine?

"It's ok mister, people always give Eli that look when Eli told them about Eli's parents."

My awkwardness is saved by a bus coming by. and Eli got up and entered the bus. I followed her but was stopped by the bus driver. He pointed towards a box which I don't know what it does.

"Mister, what is the hold up? can't you just pay and move along?"

I reached my hands to my pocket... but then it dawned on me... I have no money nor a pocket.

"..." I started towards the bus driver

"..." the abyss stares back

I slowly got off the bus, but before I could Eli grabbed my hand.

"Mister, you're a grown up and yet you still lose your cards! You must be no good grown up. but Eli is magnanimous, and thus Eli is going to pay your bus fare! hehehe!"

and so began my most awkward bus ride ever.

After a torturous hour with the hyperactive girl, the bus arrives in a city with skyscrapers. It's a sight I miss. As soon as the bus stops everyone seems to be eager to get off. so I just followed the crowd. the city is not something I'm familiar with, hence in roman do what the romans do right.

===

I ended up getting dragged by Eli towards what seems to be a hospital. From what I gather the town is named Oakpolis. it seems that it's been recently named that. I wonder why. I wonder... how far is Annapolis from home, Cottontown. When I asked Eli about it she said she's heard the name but didn't know where it is.

Being started by everyone while walking is not a new experience for me, but it seems that little Eli is somewhat uncomfortable with it. Hence, I cast a bit of suggestion magic that made people ignore us.

Following Eli into the hospital, I had mixed feelings about it. On one hand I didn't really know Eli that well, and now I'm meeting her father. What kind of plot development is this?

Opening the door into a private room inside a hospital, Eli rushed in and cannonballed herself into a man. Her father is a middle-aged man with a goatee and a good physique. anyone else would doubt that this man is sick. but for me who had a few centuries of experience immediately knew what was wrong.

"Eli, calm down..."

"Muuuu... Today you're supposed to take me out to the aquarium!"

"*cough*... I wish I could Eli...."

The man calmly held Eli by her head and stroked it slowly, not long after the girl fell asleep. I did sense a bit of mana activation. to think that even before my isekai...

"So. Who are you?"

Instead of answering the man I asked him another question."Are you a hero?"

"Hero huh... it's something I haven't heard of for a long time..."

The man seems lost in thought as he looks outside the window. Figures. he gave off an aura. An aura unique to heroes. I would know it since I also had it. but that was a lifetime ago. but it's weak and fading away...

"Did you also get sent to Modene?"

"Modene? never heard of it... I was sent to Zlazamond."

Zlazamond. I have also never heard of it.

"It seems that you and I came back from a different world huh."

"It seems so... Share your story to this dying old man now wouldn't you..."

I told him my story, the short version of the hero, the savior.

" Saving a dragon from a demon prince...? You really roll bad luck huh ?"

and then I got into how I found out that the goddess is a Psychopath and how I met the demon goddess. and my adventures with her here and there.

"YOU FOOL!"

"!?!?"

"SHE'S DEFINITELY INTO YOU !! YOU DENSE OLD VIRGIN!!"

I never felt so insulted before. and how did he know...

"OF COURSE I KNEW! I READ ENOUGH SHOUNEN MANGA TO KNOW! YOU BETA VIRGIN MC!"

*STAB*

"And WHAT THE HELL! NOT TAKING A BATH TOGETHER? HOW DENSE CAN YOU GET!? DO YOU NEED A STREET SIGN TO TELL YOU TO GO FOR IT?"

*STAB*

"AND THE CLASSIC I'M DRUNK LETS SLEEP TOGETHER!? HOW OBLIVIOUS CAN YOU GET!?"

*STAB STAB STAB*

"And that final scene! YOU DENSE F*CK! SHE WANTED YOU TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE 'STAY WITH ME'! BUT NOOOO YOU HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE GODDAMN THRONE!"

*CRiITICAL HIT*

"... Sigh... Well, can't cry over a spilt milk now can you."

As the sun was starting to set, he got off his bed and carried Eli in his arms.

"Come with me for a while now would you ?"

I agreed to go with the man.

"This world..."

as we were walking around until there's no one nearby, he instantly accelerated and blurred. I just followed him from the back, matching his speed.

"... is not what it appears to be."

as we arrive at a plateau.

"I have been the guardian of our earth for 10 years.... and my mana is not remotely enough, hence I have to burn my soul to compensate."

figures. His soul is so weak that it may snuff out at any time.

"I have a wish. oh hero who stopped the apocalypse, you would understand the burden that I carry."

I nodded my head. I knew how heavy it was. to carry the weight of the world.

"End me and take my position oh demon lord of calamity. It is my wish to die on the battlefield, not in a bed."

as he said that He materialized his armor. rather than armor it's more like sci-fi armor. He drew his blade, no it's a freaking energy blade! I'm so jelly right now. how come he went into a sci-fi world and I got sent into a medieval fantasy world.

"Wake up Eli"

"Hmmm... OH Papa! huh!? where are we?"

"Eli... It is my time... you see that Uncle over there? He's the one that will send Papa to the stars to be one with your Mama."

"Huh... but... but..." Eli is surprised at the revelation

"Papa is selfish! Mama left Eli, Papa left Eli! Selfish Papa! Selfish! Selfish!"

Tears swelled up from little Eli's big eyes.

"Hahaha... Papa is selfish. very very Selfish. but Papa is going to show you something amazing. Watch papa and Uncle."

as he said that he quickly put down a protective barrier on Eli, I followed suit. He doesn't seem surprised. as he gets into a stance.

I also did the same. My armor, which was beaten and broken, is pumped by my mana, a pair of wings grew behind me, and a sword appeared floating in front of me.

"Come, Savior of heroes, Calamity among demon kings! Let's compare notes! My name is Ethan Celeste, Hero of the end. Don't disappoint me!"

"Nathan Colombus."

The first time after a long time I said my own name. Usually people will scream my name for me. The barrier I create is finally done forming, the surrounding color is suddenly tinted by a navy hue, confirming that the space has been sealed off. I made it transparent so that Eli can see what is happening inside. It's Ethan's last wish. it's only fair I agreed to it.

Ethan rushed at me with speed comparable to lighting, attacking me from my front. but I knew that somehow it's a feint. but regardless I have never fought someone who uses an energy blade before, so it wouldn't hurt to be more careful. As our blade met, the expected struggle of power never happened, instead his blade 'passed' mine as he retracts his blade, and powers it on again after passing my blocking blade.

Instead of testing my armor against that energy blade I sent a kick before the blade connects, but to my suprise, it's not flesh that I hit, I felt that I hit the condensed air. as there's a buffer of condensed air between my legs and his abodemen. I still sent him a good few meters back.

"You should read more mangas! most of my abilities are from mangas! and maybe it'll cure your denseness!"

he taunted me as he rushed to me once again. but now he compensates his strength by utilizing an unknown force that creates 'compressed air' that buffers his attacks and limits my movement.

I ended up only getting a hit once or twice. It's amazing what he can do with only a mono-element spell. to infuse his movements with wind mana, compressing air and bursting it to stop my attacks. just impressive.

His attacks gain weight that was previously impossible, he even sent a small air burst to my joints which slightly alters my stance thus creating openings. He even tried to suck the oxygen out of my lungs and immediate facility.

"To think that you can fight against everything without even breaking a sweat... it seems that you really are a freaking monster huh. but then again... everything must come to an end right? then here...."

I sense an incredible amount of mana, fighting spirit, and sword-intent gathering around Ethan. I simply obliged and did the same, as his blade grows bigger and bigger. mine simply become more dense.

"... my Ougi! <Vorpal Blade>!"

His energy blade finally compresses and glows green, as he rushes towards me, I do the same, and we pass each other on and exchange.

After the exchange I dispelled the barrier, as Ethan walked towards Eli and got on his knees.

"Eli..."

while still crying Eli is hugged by Ethan.

"Papa will be going now. be a good girl and listen to Uncle Nate, ok? Papa will finally be meeting mama..."

"no! no! don't go Papa! Eli promises Eli will be a good girl!"

Ethan's body suddenly glows white... it reminds me of them... it seems that that's how we disappear huh...

"Eli. Papa is proud. Mama is too. We'll be watching Eli from the stars. Here... Papa's last present."

Ethan then places his energy blade on Eli's hand. as he stood up and looked up to the sky.

"Well, Nate, I'll leave everything to you ok?"

I nodded my head.

"And one more thing Nate! RAIJU SHOULD JUST EXPLODE!"

he said as he turns into light particles and the particles are sent to the skies above. leaving a devastated Eli.

"*sniff*"

I have zero experience with kids. and now I'm alone with Eli.

"*sniff*... are you leaving Eli too?"

"No."

"UWAAAAAA *continues crying*"

Eli just hugged me and continues crying. She even cried herself to sleep. Before we leave, I etch the plateau with my mana, which will be invisible to the mundane.

[HERE ENDS A HERO'S EPIC. ETHAN CELESTE. 6-9-2xxx]