Writhing on the ground, I bumped into the shelves.
"Oof!" [Solace]
I then heard a click as my back pressed against something, and the shelf began to move.
"Huh?" [Solace]
Picking myself up, I witnessed the shelves opening up. Moments later, a small compartment holding only a dozen or so crystals inside.
("What's this? A secret memory stash?") [Solace]
I glanced nervously at the teleportation pad. I was kind of half expecting Lapis to appear, but nothing happened.
("There are probably two choices I have right now. Pretend this never happened and leave, or check it out before doing that.") [Solace]
Did I want to risk getting caught and perhaps get the life beaten out of me? Hell yeah!
After a few seconds of staring at the teleportation pad, I started going through the compartment.
("Huh… There's labels on each row. That's pretty new.") [Solace]
There were three rows of crystals. The first one read: "The Calamities". The second read: "The Heroes". Finally, the third and last one read: "The Good Days".
("These… look kind of important. What are the Calamities?" [Solace]
"Response: The Calamities are individuals beholding strength on par or above that of gods. There are currently seven known calamities out of the existing eleven." [Spirit Guide]
("...I feel like I wasn't supposed to hear the second part of that.") [Solace]
Slightly curious about it, I reached for one of the "Calamity" crystals.
"Warning: Activation of a Calamity memory could alert the subject of interest. Do you wish to continue?" [Spirit Guide]
After hearing that, I withdrew my hand.
("I don't feel like dying today. No thanks.") [Solace]
I moved on to the next row.
("So… I wonder if I'll alert the heroes too?") [Solace]
I reached out expecting a warning, but nothing happened.
("Cool. At least these ones aren't gated.") [Solace]
I ran a finger across the names, figuring out which one to watch.
("The hero Jare… The hero of Urae… The hero of Zerv… What are these names?") [Solace]
"Response: Heroes are beings selected by gods to wield their divine weapon. Should another attempt to wield such a weapon, it would invite heavenly wrath." [Spirit Guide]
("...Intimidating.") [Solace]
Judging by that explanation, those names were probably the names of their gods.
("Let's just take a peek at a random one. How about… Hm?") [Solace]
There were two crystals that caught my eye. One read: "The Unnamed Heroes". The other read: "The Supreme Hero Astos".
("I feel like I've seen this Astos one before.") [Solace]
Feeling a bit curious, I took a quick peek into it.
"Demon lord! Your misdeeds end here!" [???]
There stood a… boy? Teenager? He wore clothing similar to my previous world, accompanied with two people who also had modern clothing.
"Hero… And your companions. Have you finally come to meet your end?" [???]
A man with purple horns sprouting from his forehead stood before the teen. I guessed he was the demon lord in question since he… well… looked like a stereotypical demon lord.
"Ad- I mean, Astos! Ready yourself!" [Blonde Haired Teen]
The hero's companion stuttered.
("Oh. I get it.") [Solace]
Just from that stutter alone, I realized the hero was using an alias. I guess a person wearing modern clothing wouldn't have a fantasy-like name. I wonder if he got transported to this world through a truck too?
"I know. Watch my back Fe- Uh… What was it again?" [Astos]
The blonde haired teen facepalmed.
"It's Fable." [Blonde Haired Teen]
"Alright. Watch my back Fable! And uh… Tif?" [Astos]
"It's Til." [White Haired Teen]
The third companion, a white haired girl wearing a pink hoodie, sighed.
"...Are you guys done talking? I want to start fighting already." [Demon Lord]
I suddenly felt like I was watching a comedy skit.
"Yeah." [Astos]
"Hm. Very well." [Demon Lord]
The demon lord then cleared his throat.
"Oh mighty heroes! Prepare to feel my wrath! |Dark Nebula|!" [Demon Lord]
Thrusting a hand out, a ball of darkness flung itself toward the heroes.
"|Pressure Cannon|!" [Astos]
Returning the favor, Astos also sent a hand out. A blast of air shot out at the ball of darkness, deflecting it to the side.
"Now, Fable!" [Astos]
"|Warp|!" [Fable]
Vanishing from view, the blonde teen appeared behind.
"Silence my foes, |Dianoia|!" [Fable]
A floor before him split apart, springing a giant flower at the demon lord.
"|Reinforce|! |Fly|!" [Demon Lord]
Strengthening himself, he flew backwards as the slower struck him. The flower then bloomed, revealing a purple handle within.
"I won't let you escape!" [Fable]
Grabbing the handle, he pulled out a thin sword with no guard at the handle. Fable then did a whipping motion that quickly extended the blade in the demon lord's direction.
"An elongating blade?! |Wind Wall|!" [Demon Lord]
Conjuring up a gust of air, it forced the extending blade to go another direction.
"Astos! Get him!" [Fable]
"|Implode|!" [Astos]
The ground- or air beneath his feet exploded, sending him towards the demon lord.
"Balance the scales, |Krino|!" [Astos]
A bolt of lightning came down into his hand, revealing a longsword engraved with the image of a griffin in the blade.
("Ayo?! Is that Mjolnir?!") [Solace]
That gave me mad norse mythology vibes.
"|Fire Wall|!" [Demon Lord]
Summoning a wall of fire, Astos was blocked off from slicing. However, he still sliced through it.
"What?!" [Demon Lord]
"This is where you fall! |Implode|!" [Astos]
Another explosion occurred behind Astos, boosting him further. The demon lord began to murmur something under his breath, screaming something out moments before Astos' sword connected.
"|Reflect|!" [Demon Lord]
Astos' sword passed through him, which then formed a diagonal cut on himself instead.
"Huh?" [Astos]
"Haha! You fool!" [Demon Lord]
"|Invigorate|!" [Til]
The white haired companion shone gold, causing Astos' wound to close at an alarming rate.
"That's not fair!" [Demon Lord]
I was starting to get super invested into the fight. Unfortunately, the crystal suddenly turned off.
"Eh?" [Solace]
I tried turning it back on, but nothing happened.
("...Bruh. Damn cliffhanger!") [Solace]