Chapter Text
"ACK-!"
He screamed as he watched everyone strike a powerful blast onto them using the thunder spear to defeat them that was once used against the Titans. The blast crushed their only hope of achieving their dreams. To finally be normal once more. To be like them. To rejoin society and be fully accepted as a whole without feeling trapped in the isle anymore. To just be h u m a n.
He watched as the blast took a huge hit on his armor and watched as his brother fell back into the pit he was long trapped in calling out his name as he tried to save himself from going back there as he keep falling in the endless pit. Along with his fellow phantoms that he so called friends. He screamed his name and dive down to save him. He couldn't loose him again. He couldn't bare to see his little brother suffer again because he failed as his older brother.
No..he wouldn't let it happen again.
"ORTHO!"
He shout once more as he tried to reach him with all his might and ignore the pleas of people up the surface who was shouting something at him or rather someone. But, he could careless. His priority was saving his brother first.
He tried once again to reach him but he was falling down so fast, he couldn't grab a hold of him and the after effects of the blast was taking a toll on him as he feels drowsy but he fought it off trying to keep his eyes open as the blot in his body was also causing him major pain as he keeps falling down into the endless pit of Tartarus.
As he keep falling, a part of him wished this doesn't have to happen and that their wish should be granted before they meet their end.
But deep down, he knew this was the end of it all.
Their remaining hopes of ever living as normal in the surface without facing judgement will never come true. He will never be the good older brother he promised Ortho he would be. They won't ever see the stars. They won't reach the cosmos and wander beyond. They won't get to continue their plan of doing adventures together as a kid. All because of him.
This wouldn't have happened if he just..no. It's no use anymore. He's gone. And, it's all cause of him.
But atleast he knows he died trying to save his brother. He knows that fate tried giving him another chance of redeeming himself. To protect his loved one for the last time. He began to close his eyes embracing for the massive impact that's gonna come. There was no hope for him to be saved. He was too far gone. And if people were to save them, atleast take Ortho instead of him.
He deserved another second chance in life.
But before he can feel the touch of death embracing him- he heard a voice calling out his name from afar. The voice sound familiar..for some reason.
He tried to open his tired eyes to see who is calling him but his vision was all too blurry to see properly. He tried to blink it away and was shocked to see unexpected tears flowing down on his cheeks. He didn't even seem to realize that he was crying in the first place and mistaken them for blot that was dripping continously on his face this whole time.
He went to wipe it away smudging blot and tears onto his already messy face. He looked up and saw a shadowy figure coming closer to him with arms reaching out for his hand, calling his name.
But their voice sound so distorted and distant. But he can make out the words being said.
"I..da!"
"Wha..?"
Was the figure calling out his name? But why? Is someone coming to his rescue? But why..? He doesn't deserve to be rescued. More like, he's happy and content to where he is right now. Sure he doesn't wanna die yet as he has dreams to pursue but the temptation of permanently resting forever in the underworld sounds far better than continuing to live in his opinion.
He watched as the figure keep calling his name with utter passion and determination to save him by stretching their arms to reach him trying to grab his arm. His body unconsciously moved on it's own trying to reach their arms. Okay..maybe, he doesn't really wanna die yet. And he was just being dramatic. Maybe..
But he knows, it's what he wanted deep down to happen.
His body moved with it's remaining last strength as he tried to grab onto the figure's arms whose still blurry in his eyes which explains why he can't tell who is saving him from his own mistakes but deep inside, a part of him is grateful that someone came to save him despite knowing no one should risk their lives just to save a useless person like him. He is still grateful that they would lend a hand just to risk it all like their life isn't on the line as well by coming to save him.
Maybe the heroes he have read in books and saw in video games does exist in real life. And, he's the villain. A villain that the hero is willing to save for the sake of humanity like a cliche story.
His mouth twitched, forming a tiny smile under his broken mask as he whispered under his breath.
"Thank..you.."
Was his last words as he could hear the figure saying something but it was far too distant for him to hear like they were underwater which they aren't considering this is Tartarus. But it feels like it to him.
His eyes finally gave up as he closed them with a tired sigh. His eyes shedding a tear for the first and last time in his life as a white light engulf him whole.
It feels cold yet soft at the same time. Like some kind of blanket, he wraps around himself during winter. Cold yet soft onto his skin.
As he came to accept that he is dying, a question suddenly popped into his head.
Was this really the end of him..?
Could he atleast restart this whole thing? Like this was some kind of video game. Pfft. How pathetic of him to think he can ever restart this if he was given a chance.
But suddenly..a thought or rather someone popped into his head that made him wish there was really a restart button to redo his mistakes.
"Or..th..o.."
.
.
.
Loud ringing invaded his ears making him wince in pain by the loud noise. He groaned trying to sit up and analyze his surroundings as he feel a floor under him which confused him.
Wasn't he just falling..? Why is there suddenly a ground beneath him? If there is land..where did he land on, exactly? He hoped it's not somewhere people could see him in such a sorry state.
That's the last thing he wanna be in after falling into his doom and dying in the process. Or atleast..he thinks so?
He then went to open his eyes as he tried moving around trying to feel the area he landed on. His body immediately screamed in pain when he did so, making him cuss under his breath as he fall back down onto the ground when he tried to standing up. He hold in his cries of pain when he landed on his knees and felt like it shattered but that's just him overthinking it.
He rubbed his knees to ease the pain as he looked around the area to identify where he is and find himself that he is an alleyway of some sorts. In a city, perhaps? This looks like a city.
He hummed as he keep looking around and leaned on the wall for support as he feels his knees wobbling under his weight. He cursed his poor stamina like he doesn't know what caused it and tried to steady himself before testing to see if he can walk.
After making sure, he can properly walk without stumbling from his clumsy movements - he start to wander around the area while keeping his arms wrapped around himself. Rubbing his arms to make himself warm as the armor he was wearing wasn't doing it's thing to support him and keep him warm.
He also checked himself again before he left the alleyway to see if he dropped something along for injuries to see if he gained more after that fall. But there was none which made him sigh in relief.
He also went to check to see if his magic pen was still with him and it was. He also made sure the mage stone was still intact inside, his custom holder for it and when it still works, he carried it with him. Making it float above his hands.
He bit his lip as he looked around the unfamiliar place and sees that there isn't many people in the area and that it was nighttime. He also checked his pockets to see if his phone was with him but he couldn't find it which made him groan in annoyance.
'Great..I lost my phone and I'm somewhere that doesn't even look like Sage's Island one bit..great just great. Just my luck. I hope, I just died instead of whatever this place I landed in. Wandering in a ruined armor with my STYX uniform intact underneath and have a lots of wounds scattered in my body from head to toe with no way of treating it cause I don't know where the goddamn hospital is in this place.'
He grumbled internally as he keep his skull pen close to his hands as he keep an eye out for anyone suspicious as he wander around the streets. The people who pass by him were looking at him weirdly which made his anxiety worse as he shrink onto himself to become smaller in their eyes and tried to hide his hair by covering it with his left arm while his right one hold his skull pen close to him.
That didn't stop people from looking at him even more making him sweat bullets and walked faster than he already was doing to avoid being stared at and felt like he was gonna have a panic attack in the process as he keeps speedwalking.
With him being so distracted, he didn't even noticed a person was walking into his direction making both of them bumped into eachother.
"Eep!"
"Oof-!"
They both landed on their asses in the ground like dumb idiots and one of them immediately apologized as he just nodded while clutching onto his hair using it as a cover for his face to hide the incoming tears and remaining blot.
The person seemed to notice his sorry state to which he wished, they didn't and kept his head low trying not to stare at the person who was looking at him with pity.
"Please..go away.."
He whispered as he backed away from the stranger but the stranger raised their arms in the air like silently telling him that they won't harm him. But he doesn't know if he can believe that as he still avoids looking at them.
"Hey..I won't hurt you. And, I noticed you seem heavily injured. Are you okay? Let me escort you to the hospital atleast. You badly need it."
He looked at them with his hair out of the way now but still putting a good distance away from them as he think of an reply while holding his skull pen close to his chest for comfort.
'Should I even agree..? I don't know this person well and they might trick me. Especially since I'm in an unfamiliar place too. I could get easily lost in here..but I do need to get these wounds treated as it hurts to keep on moving. Hmmm..'
He looked back at the stranger after making sure to think this through before responding.
"Sure..lead the way."
The stranger smiled at him which made him smile a little back at them and then frowned again once their back is turned as he grumbled under his breath for letting this happen in the first place. But does he even got a choice? No.
Either let the stranger lead him to the hospital or he lets the wounds get infected and he dies for real, this time.
But he isn't gonna let it happen again. He might end up in a worse situation than this.
He looked around as they walked around and took note of the place they came across as he uncurled on himself as he feels more comfy now with their presence. He feels like asking them a question but he decided to stay silent as the stranger stopped and he looked up to where they were looking.
They have arrived at the hospital and the person smiled as they told him that this is where they'll be departing now.
He nodded and thanked them as the stranger said no problem and left going on their way back home probably. He looked at them and back at the hospital as he went inside.
Upon entering, people stared at him and was confused on why he was covered in black goo and why his hair looks like a fire for some reason or was it just a weird looking wig for a cosplay? They all couldn't tell and couldn't even asked him because he keeps ignoring all their judging stares.
He can't do anything with it so might as well just simply ignore them and went to the nurse in the counter and told them what he's here for. After that, one of the nurses escorted him to a room and told him to stay here as they'll get a doctor to check his injuries.
He nodded as he watched the nurse leave before releasing the air inside his lungs that he didn't know he was holding on the entire time. He looked around the plain basic room and laid down onto the bed feeling the exhaustion take over him all at once and the pain returning due to his wounds as he wince at the reminder.
He yawned as he started to feel drowsy once more and decided to took off his mask as he placed it on his lap and stared at the ceiling as he try to recall everything that has happened.
First, he remembered Ortho and him were planning to reset the world to their liking where phantoms and humans/any other living thing can coexist. But it didn't happened because the SSR troublemakers blasted them with a thunder spear that was once used to fight against the Titans. Second, he remembered falling into Tartarus- no, he went to dive in to Tartarus after Ortho was blasted that caused him to fall down and he went to save him.
Yes..he went to save him.
Right..that's where it all started. After jumping in to save his brother, a figure he couldn't recognized was trying to save him. By recalling the events again, he can remember the voice being similar to someone he knew in school but couldn't wrap his tongue around the name.
But all he knew that person has blondish hair in his blurry memories. And there is alot of blonde people in their school so he can't tell which one.
But then again..the only blonde people in STYX at that time were Rook Hunt and Vil Schoenheit. So it's either one of them probably.
He hummed as he tried to recall their voice again and his eyes widened as he came to a realization.
"No way.."
He muttered in utter shock as he sit up suddenly making his head throb from the sudden movement. He went to calm down n' recall what happened again to make sure he wasn't imagining things during those moments.
'Vil..tried to save me? But..why? Me and him weren't even close at all. Why would he..and HE WAS RISKING HIMSELF BY SAVING ME! WHAT WAS HE THINKING?! He could have died in there if he stayed long enough- he would..he would..'
He groaned as he massaged his head from the growing migraines he's receiving from thinking about it even more as he plopped back into the bed as he sighed n' looked into the ceiling as he did so. He stared at the ceiling for who knows how long but it was interrupted when the door opened revealing a doctor and a nurse.
He looked at them as the doctor began to do his thing as he watched the entire thing go down and closed his eyes as he start to feel drowsy once more. Maybe a nap wouldn't hurt.
Zzzz..
.
.
.
He woke up and saw outside the window it was morning already making him groan at the bright light illuminating his face. He then looked around and realized he fall asleep in the hospital bed when they went to check his injuries. He looked down and saw that his clothes were changed into a hospital gown.
He panicked for a second when he couldn't find his skull pen but realized it was just beside his bed in a chair with his ruined clothes in it.
He sighed in relief seeing his STYX uniform was still there and was quite clean too. The staff probably washed it for him which was weird of them in his opinion but was grateful for it nonetheless but his armor was nowhere to be seen for some reason making him confuse.
Just as he was about to call the nurse, the door opened and revealed the stranger from last night who helped him. He blinked as he looked at them who looked surprised to see that he's awake already.
"Oh..hi. Sorry for not knocking, I thought you were still asleep. The doctors said you have alot of injuries when they examined you and you fell asleep during the procedure midway so they just let you rest after. Oh and I also brought food. Sorry if it's not to your liking."
The stranger smiled once more and place a basket beside him and he stared at it then back at the stranger with a raised eyebrow silently questioning why they were doing this.
"Oh. i get what you're thinking. Sorry, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself but I'm Carol. And, I'm helping you because you were heavily injured last night and I couldn't let a stranger wander around like that in the middle of the night."
The stranger whose name was Carol looked at him with a apologetic smile and rubbed her arm after explaining. He just nodded slowly and went to check the basket she brought with her.
Carol smiled and took a seat beside him, watching him check the food she brought.
"Anyways. What's your name? If you don't mind me asking. Oh and you have pretty hair by the way, I have never seen an unusual hair like yours before and that's what make you stand out among the crowds in my opinion. Oh! Sorry if that was weird, it was a compliment."
He blinked when she mentioned his hair and suddenly got self conscious as he shrink on himself again and wrapped the blanket around him tighter. Carol noticed this and apologized again if she offended him and he just muttered something making her confused.
"Hm? Sorry, couldn't hear you."
He groaned and raised his voice a bit to let her hear him clearly. As he keep the blanket close to him and began to recheck the basket again since he was feeling hungry and it would be rude to put away her gift after she helped him last night.
"I mean to say thank you for last night. If it weren't for you, i wouldn't have been here and get my wound treated. So..thanks. I don't know how to repay you as I don't have money with me.."
Carol nodded and offered him money to pay for the hospital bills to which he feel ashamed but then again, where will he get money in this world? Yes, he came to realize that he got isekai'd like the people he saw in video games. Out of all people, why him though? He isn't fit for the role of an MC in another world by himself.
But guess he has no choice then..let's just hope he won't regret this sooner or later.
He said thank you again to Carol in a whisper as Carol chuckled saying it's nothing but just doing kind things for him. He happen to remember her question earlier and went to introduce himself.
"I'm Idia. Idia Shroud. Nice to meet you, Carol."
Carol smiled and said the same thing as she told him to eat up and he did as he opened the basket and take out the goods she prepared. Even though he doesn't want someone in the room as he eats, he was grateful for her presence and went to chat with her for a bit.
Feeling a bit more comfy now.
The two keep talking and talking trying to get to know eachother and he explained to her that his hair isn't a wig like she assumed it was and told her it's just a condition his family has which wasn't a lie but couldn't tell her it's a curse and that he knows magic. As Carol seems like an ordinary human and shouldn't know he's a mage and from a different world at that.
No one will believe him anyway if he told her the truth. Hell, he might just freak her out and he don't want that. After all, she's the only person who isn't weirded out by him so far and even helped him despite on how he looks.
'Such a weird person..'
He hummed as he chuckled to what she said. But their chit chat soon ended when the doctor came back and told him that he can now go home.
Carol seemed overjoyed at the news than he is and thanked the doctor as the doctor nodded and left the room. Carol then looked at him with a huge smile.
"You're free now which is good. But then again..you said you don't have any relative or any home to go to after this. Hmm.."
She rubbed her chin as she think of something and he looked at her as she pace around the room while he sip the juice in his hand.
"AHA! I've got an idea!"
He looked at her as she looked at him with a huge smile on her face again but this time it feels like he's talking to a sunshine and speaking of sunshine..he reminds her of Kalim with that attitude.
"How about..you stay with me for awhile and we get you a job so you can find a place on your own. How's that?"
He blinked and almost choked on his juice then gulped it down as he looked at her with wide eyes.
"You..you want me to move in to your house? But I'm still a stranger to you! How are you so calm about this..?"
Yep, he definitely reminds her of Kalim. No doubt.
"Well..I can suggest you a place to rent on instead? But I don't know..cause you don't have money so you can't pay rent exactly. So that's why I'm taking you with me. But if that's too much, maybe I can look for alternative solutions."
He sighed as he tried to think it through and looked back at her after making up his mind.
"Alright..I'll go with you and be as your roommate for the time being. I'll go find a job and find my own apartment soon then I move out once I do. Deal?"
Carol nodded and outstretched her hand into his direction for a handshake to which he did the same as they both settled for this agreement.
"Now that's decided..let's go home. I have a lot of things to show you! Oh and let's probably get you new clothes. The doctor told me you only have this with you under that armor you were wearing covered in black goo."
He flinched at the mention of that and looked away feeling uncomfortable with the topic and Carol apologized once more after seeing his reaction to what she said. He said, it's nothing and that there's nothing he can do.
"Let's go. I think, I can walk straight without feeling like I'm gonna pass out."
He joked as she laughed but was looking at him with concern at the same time. He said it's a joke and went to wear his STYX uniform and grabbed his skull pen on the chair then gave her back the basket to which she thanked him for and both of them went out of the hospital after paying.
While walking, she talked bout her job and offered him to work there if he wants to. He hummed and think about it before nodding cause there's no other job he can apply to without a proper resume and working as a barista doesn't sound so bad as long as he won't talk to the customers.
"Don't worry, I know you mentioned you don't like talking to people much. So, I got you covered in the front lines. You can do the orders in the back, I'll deliver it for you."
He sighed, grateful she remembered and offered that suggestion as he nodded and thanked her as he smiled but only a little to her direction to which she smiled back. They eventually came to her apartment and toured him around along with bringing him to the cafe so she can talk to her Boss bout him applying here.
The Boss looked at him as he hid his fiery hair under his hood that Carol offered him to wear and he hummed as he accepted his application to work in the cafe to which he sighed in relief. Carol congratulated him and both of them went to shop for clothes next with her remaining budget.
He felt bad and offered to repay her once he gets money and she told him it's nothing as they bought clothes that he likes and thanked her again as she said it's nothing for the hundredth time today. He knows it's okay to her but he still can't help the feeling.
Once he get his paycheck soon, he'll repay all the kindness Carol did for him. After all, it's the right thing to do after all she did for him since day 1.
And he won't admit it, but he is glad that Carol has became his friend in this world. His first ever friend too. Ortho would have been proud of him if he were to witness this.
And she doesn't judge him at him all. She accepts who he is and don't question his unusual looks about himself. And is supportive of him and his ideas whenever he mentions something to her randomly. Even listens to his yapping session when they game together in the living room. She's the best friend and roommate he could ask for.
And that's rich coming from someone who literally can't handle socializing with other people, who hides inside his room all day playing video games, and has no friends in general aside from his online friend, MuscleRed.
So, what could go wrong?
.
.
.
"What..? What do you mean..Carol is missing?"
Maybe, he was wrong all along. Does he really doesn't deserve an ounce of happiness?
The world seemingly just hates him. Hell, it might despises him even at this point.
Even in this new life.
Fate hates him.
He can never win.
To be continued..