A New Shield Hero is Summoned

Disclaimer: I don't own either of the series and I'm merely making this piece of fiction out of entertainment and not profit

Prologue

The latest Wave Of Calamity was by far the worst. Even the Four Legendary Heroes had a hard time dealing with the hordes of monsters that were ravaging the land, but more so for the Shield Hero. For he was the weakest of the four, due to some unfortunate circumstances that made him that way. And while the other three heroes were heroic in their own right, the Shield Hero's call to it have gone far beyond than that of the three put together, and it was due to that, that his exploits and merits were highly recognized, not so much by the those whom he was destined to save to protect but by a different power entirely, upon his untimely death.

"R-Raphatia..."

"Mas-ter...Nao-fumi..."

The Shield Hero held his beloved support in his arms as she was dying from a terrible wound on her gut. While he himself had it worse, sporting many wounds on his person that it's a miracle that he's holding out. All around them chaos reigned, as raging fires burned out of control while sounds of fighting and dying can be heard, but for the tragic two it did not matter.

"S-Save yourself. Escape...while you still can. Live...to fight another day." Each breath the racoon-girl made was a painful effort, but she really believed her human master could weather his injuries no matter what. For he is Shield Hero after all.

"What...and leave my precious sword behind." He sadly smiled, his face worn with care and concern for her. "You know...I'm no use without you, Raph. And besides...I don't feel too good with these wounds."

"Oh no..." Raphtalia lamented, not believing in what she was hearing. She then grimaced as a new wave of pain threatened to overcome her, but she fought her hardest to stay conscious.

"It's alright." He gently stroked her head, calming her. "It will be soon all over. All the hardships...all the misfortunes, they will be all behind us."

"Master..." She broke into tears. "Am scared. I...really...don't want you...to leave me alone."

"Hey, hey. What did I say. I'm not leaving you, Raph, ever."

He then presented to her his little finger, all curled and ready.

"What...is it?" she asked.

"It's a custom from my world...called a pinky swear. You hook your little finger with mine and we do a shake...signifying a promise to be best keep...between us."

Raphtalia did what she told and the two completed the gesture.

"I promise you. No...matter what happens. I will always be with you, Raph."

"Thank you...Nao...fumi...You're...the kind-" She smiled as her eyes closed one last time.

Naofumi's smile faded but he continued cradling Raphtalia's still body.

"Why...why...Raph. Why did you do it!" He finally cried out, tears not flowing from his closed eyes as he lamented to the heavens while being surrounded by the imagery of hell.

His cries were heard by no less than one of the lieutenants of this new Wave of Calamity, a demon. It towered almost twice of that of a man and had blue skin. Huge bat-like wings sprang from its back, and from its horrid, horned head it had circle milky eyes which stared with indifferent malevolence. The thing shambled in Naofumi's direction.

The Shield Hero saw it and vehemently cursed.

"Can't you let two people just die quietly!" A rush of adrenaline renewed his resolve, but with the wounds he has it was only a matter of time before he too would expire.

The demon stopped in its tracks. It seems to consider the dying man's words. Naofumi though he saw it smile malevolently as it raised one its knotty arms. Blue flames burst out its clawed hand that collate into a fiery ball. Naofumi knew what would come next.

He held Raphtalia close to him without diverting his gaze as he braced for the inevitable.

"Wait for me, Raph. I'm joining you shortly."

The last thing he saw was burning blue engulfing his world. He did not know how long he was in agony, but in the haze of excruciating pain he tried holding onto Raphtalia, not wanting to let her go even in oblivion. But soon the pain subsided, with feelings altogether, even thought began to fade. After all that, nothing.

One month later

When the summoning ritual ended, there right on the spent summoning circle stood a girl with short purple hair, wearing glasses, and holding up her arms as if shielding her face. She had an anxious look on her as she started calling out.

"Senpai, are you hurt! Say you're okay!"

"Ah! Shield Hero! In behalf of the Kingdom, we welcome your arrival!"

The girl opened her eyes with puzzlement. She then lowered her arms to bear witness to an environment she was unfamiliar with which added to her confusion and concern. More so when that greeting she heard originated from a bunch of people with expectant look on their faces. None of them she recognizes.

"What...Where am I?"