Chapter 3 — First Meeting
Where am I?
A dream?
After falling asleep, Shirogane soon found himself in a mysterious space when he opened his eyes.
Shirogane felt like he was swimming across the vast mysterious universe; filled with countless myriad stars and nebulae particles converging into mesmerising clouds.
As he watched in amazement, a dark being entirely formed from the nebula particles materialized before Shirogane.
Then the dark being, seemingly carrying various galaxies and stars within its body, spoke to him,
[We're inside the Hero Space. This is the name I gave to this isolated spatial dimension existing within the Hero Crystal.]
[This is also the space where our consciousness are currently residing so that we can finally meet!]
Hero Space? Hero Crystal?
Wait, this voice....
Shirogane immediately realized this voice was similar to the person that transformed with him as Masked Hero X.
[This is the Hero Crystal.]
A large beautiful crystal shining with a resplendent crimson light appeared on the hollowless chest of the dark being.
It resembled the crystal in the chest of Hero X.
[It is the carrier of this dimension. The power that chosen the two of us to transform into Hero X so that we have the strength to save people!]
Save people...!
After hearing such a fiery speech from the dark being, Shirogane felt a strong flame of excitement also being lit up inside of him.
However, he was also confused about something else.
But why me? There are so many other people who are better at being a hero than me...
Although it was bitter to say, it was indeed the truth.
There exist many other people with excellent hero qualities and better determination than him.
The dark being gazed at his eyes very deeply.
After a while, he finally spoke.
[I don't know. I also don't know why it choose me as well. Was it because we were lucky? We could guess all we want, but we will reach no answers.]
[However, it still picked us to become heroes.]
Shirogane went silent. He saw how the dark being was looking at him warmly.
[That's why I will do my best to become better, so someday in the future, I can be worthy of this power.]
Shirogane wondered why the dark being was willing to go far.
If it was him, he didn't have the courage to shoulder such responsibility and strength.
Why? Why are willing to go so far...?
The dark being merely flashed a starry smile in response.
[To become the Greatest Hero!]
Shirogane widened his eyes. He felt his heart beating rapidly, remembering the same words he often shouted proudly when he was a kid.
All men, when they were innocent children, aspired to be heroes.
'I want to become the greatest hero in the history! Just like All Might!'
And he, too, was no exception.
The being before him was made out of darkeness, but in the eyes of Shirogane, the being was shining more beautifully than any others.
And those light... It warmth his heart... Inspiring him to face his fears and obtain the courage he never had!
Me too... I want to become a hero...!
Shirogane replied as his face flushed completely red from excitement and determination.
[Yeah! Let's become the greatest hero together!]
The dark being let out a smile as he noticed the white light blossoming from the blank being before him.
It was a beautiful shine.
[Let's save people together, partner!]
He extended his fist at Shirogane.
Yeah..!
Shirogane did a fist bump with the dark being before him.
The bonds between them was completed.
I'm Kamado Shirogane. Who are you?
He curiously asked about the dark being's identity. In fact, there were tons of questions he wanted to ask.
[Who Am I?]
The black being let out a starry smile as the darkness covering him faded away to reveal his appearance.
[We're now bonded, Shiro.]
A black messy hair swayed with the fading darkness.
You…!
Shirogane widened his eyes in shock as he saw the true appearance of the dark being.
[I am Kamado Kurogane.]
An older man with the same facial features as his appeared before him. They resembled each other except for the fact that the older man had black hair and red eyes, as well as a much more athletic and muscular build than him.
The dark being, Kurogane, proclaimed while looking pleased at Shirogane's reaction.
[I'm you from another universe!]
…
I'm still alive...?
Kurogane really died at that time, but to his amazement, he abruptly got the urge to open his eyes after a seemingly long time had passed.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself floating in a mysterious dimension he now called as Hero Space.
Inside, he existed in a spiritual state that was similar to ghost, confirming that he had really died.
He then wondered if this space was the afterlife depicted in various religions, but his assumption would eventually be proven wrong.
Kurogane wandered around the space, but he found there were no one else other than him.
All that he could see were the myriad kinds of stars and many nebula clouds filling the space. He once approached them, only to find out the clouds were formed from mysterious metallic particles while the stars were formed from strange starry energy particles.
Although the nebula clouds were real, he felt the stars were fake projections formed by the space as a light source.
Kurogane continued to wander until he eventually found a floating crimson crystal surrounded by the nebula clouds, which made way for him as he approached the crystal.
Unlike the fake stars, this crystal was evidently real as he felt the warm light coming out from it.
The only true star.
And for some reason, Kurogane felt an overwhelming emotion conveyed from the warm light that hit him.
It felt like...
Pure joy.
I have waited for too long.
For someone to finaly arrive here.
As Kurogane stood closely before the crystal, he felt the crystal had its own mind as it spoke in his heart and mind.
What's this strange thing...?
He pondered curiously. Instead of fear of the unknown, the feelings coming from the crystal was warmth and benevolent, as if it will not pose a threat to him..
O' stranger, please accept my power...
The crystal's sincere request sent turmoil within him as a strange image flashed in his mind.
It was the back of a shadowy figure....
A figure that made you feel safe and hopeful about anything.
The shadowy figure then turned its head, allowing Kurogane to see the bright crimson X shining on its face.
Please accept my power...
Then the image faded as the crystal appeared before him again.
...and become a hero!
A hero.
His greatest dream.
The universe is overflowing with evil and chaos.
A hero.
Who brings smile and hope.
No one can stop them.
So, please...
And to achieve his dream,
With my power born from everyone's pleas and hope...
...become a Hero!
Kurogane accepted the Power Of Hero Transformation.
Swiiiish!
As the crystal exploded in a blinding light that consumed Kurogane, he heard its charming mechanical voice as his consciousness faded.
You are not complete...
I will send you to meet your other half.
Other half?
Kurogane wondered what it meant by not being complete and to find his other self.
See you, my hero.
With that, Kurogane felt his consciousness drifting away into utter darkness.
A real star was then born.
Amongst the countless shining fake stars spread throughout the universe...
...a Black Star could be seen.
...
Kinda pissed. The second half of this chapter didn't got saved by webnovel. I honestly considered dropping, but calmed down now. Just gotta rewrite, although things will be not perfect as the original;-;