Work Text:
Izuku had worked really hard for a chance at join a cultivation sect. He had spent countless hours studying anything he could get his hands on and meditating and everything else and that effort might finally be paying off.
He just needed to dig a hole first.
Why, exactly, Izuku was digging a hole he did not know, but he did know he had been told to by one of the adults. Something about this hole digging would get him admitted to or rejected from UA Mountain Sect.
He took a deep breath and dug up another shovel full of dirt. He had been at it for hours and his hands hurt, but that didn't matter. He needed UA Mountain Sect. His mother's dying with had been for him to become a great cultivator. He owed it to her to join the best sect around. To become the best cultivator.
He dug another shovel full of dirt and put it aside. He went to dig again when a hand rested on his arm.
"You can stop now," a quiet voice said as the hand pulled away. Izuku turned to see a smiling boy around his own age with light brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. There was a bird resting on his shoulder, but Izuku didn't have the brain capacity to question that. Izuku hadn't been smiled at in ages, especially not by someone as cute as this boy.
Izuku obediently dropped the shovel. "Did I pass?"
"Yep," The boy said. "I'm Rody, by the way."
"Midoriya Izuku. Nice to meet you."
Rody nodded. "Midoriya Izuku… Alright. I was sent to lead you to your peak. I don't have a sword yet though, so we'll have to walk."
"That's fine," Izuku said. "I don't mind. I'm just glad I made it in."
He followed Rody away from the field where countless youths stood with shovels, digging holes of various quality.
"Wait," he said suddenly, realizing something. "You called it 'my' peak. Is it not yours too?"
Rody shook his head but continued walking. "Nah, I'm a disciple on a different peak. We do logistics. Much less cool than your new peak."
"Which peak is that, then? What do they do?"
"The cool heroic stuff," Rody said. "Peak Lord Aizawa's pretty strict, but he's a good teacher. I'm sure you'll do great."
"Really?"
Rody stopped and turned to him. "He picked you out from all those disciples. He wouldn't do that if he didn't think you'd do well. Sect Leader Nedzu agreed too. Have more confidence in yourself."
The next time Izuku saw Rody was a few years later when a demon by the name of Stain showed up, intent on destroying the sect and taking the nameplate while most of the adults were gone for the Immortal Alliance Conference. Izuku fought him and won, but not without injuries.
Rody was the one to take him to the healing peak. He called Izuku stupid for fighting alone, but he was very careful as he let Izuku lean on him and held him securely on the sword flight over.
Rody wasn't as muscular as the other disciples on Izuku's peak, but there was something reliable about him.
From then on, they met pretty regularly. Any free time Izuku had was spent with his friend, laughing and smiling. Rody enthusiastically wished him luck when it was time for Izuku to claim his own sword.
And claim a sword Izuku did. The sword Izuku got was called 'One for All.' Apparently, it had a great legacy and had been weilded by history's greatest cultivators. Big shoes to fill, Izuku thought, but if Rody supported him he thought he could manage.
Rody kissed him for the first time after. Izuku's heart had never beat so fast nor had he smiled so wide.
The next major event occured some years later when Izuku was off on a mission with Rody, guarding him while his friend picked up a trade owed to them by another sect. While they were returning home, rain began to pour. The two took shelter in a cave. Before they had been there long, Izuku heard sounds.
He exchanged a glance with Rody before heading deeper into the cave to check it out. If it was a human, they needed to save it. If it was a demon, it needed to be defeated before it could harm someone. If it was just an animal, then all they lost was time.
They headed down a long, dark tunnel, lit only by a talisman Rody had brought. Unfortunately, the talisman only lit up about ten paces in each direction, but it was better than nothing.
Eventually, they entered a cavern where the sound was much louder.
"Hello?" Izuku called out, sword held out in front of him.
A tall, dark shape appeared in front of him. Its eyes glowed red and Izuku fought the urge to run. When it spoke, it's voice was low and raspy from disuse. "You have my brother's sword."
Written by a human in Ellipsus.