Elemental hero Neos: Wake up your heart

"Where am I?"

A young man stood amidst a surreal, otherworldly expanse, his lean, athletic frame the product of years spent swimming and fighting. His muscles, though wiry, bore the definition of someone hardened by countless trials. Standing at 5'10" (178 cm), he moved with the effortless grace of a warrior forged in battle, every motion a testament to his demigod heritage.

His sea-green eyes were piercing, a blend of intensity and curiosity, reflecting the vibrant energy of the mysterious realm surrounding him. His messy black hair framed a face that carried traces of exhaustion and resilience in equal measure. He was dressed casually, yet with an edge of readiness: a replica Slifer Red jacket, a symbol of a hero he admired, draped over a simple black t-shirt, jeans, and scuffed black sneakers. The jacket, though a copy, held a certain weight to it. The faded red, the worn zipper, and the slightly frayed cuffs spoke of countless hours spent watching duel after duel, drawing strength from the fictional hero Judai Yuki.

This was Percy—formerly known as Percy Jackson, two-time savior of Olympus and estranged son of Poseidon.

The full story of how he'd reached this point would have to wait. Right now, Percy's focus was on his surroundings: a world seemingly stitched together from streams of powerful energy, hues of light blue interwoven with shades of purple and dark blue. The air shimmered, and a faint, high-pitched hum resonated through the Realm of In-Between.

In the distance, something caught his eye. Curiosity stirred within him, pulling him forward with a sense of purpose. He moved swiftly, the grace of his demigod nature guiding his steps as the landscape began to shift and morph.

As he walked further, the vibrant energy of the realm melted away, replaced by a blank white expanse. Endless sky stretched out above him, mirrored by a rippling, water-like ground beneath his feet that felt solid yet liquid. In the center of it all, a colossal, Jupiter-like sphere floated above a shimmering platform, its presence both majestic and ominous.

Percy muttered to himself, "All I remember is getting that strange card from that fortune teller... and then—poof—I'm here."

Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out the card in question. It was exquisite, like nothing he'd ever seen before. Intricate golden patterns spiraled across its surface, intertwined with delicate, feather-like designs. At the card's center, a radiant starburst seemed to pulse faintly with a life of its own. Celestial symbols adorned its border, glowing softly with an unearthly light, their meaning just out of reach. As Percy glanced at the card, the starburst at its center pulsed slightly brighter, a faint warmth spreading through his fingers.

Percy's eyes lingered on the card for a moment longer before his gaze was drawn ahead. A figure stood in the distance, the only other presence in this strange realm.

The figure resolved into the form of a young woman as he approached. She bore an uncanny resemblance to Shizune from Naruto, but with subtle, otherworldly differences. She wore a pristine white kimono, her feet clad in simple sandals. Her eyes, pure and unblemished white, radiated calm, and her lips curved into a warm, welcoming smile.

"Greetings, Perseus," the woman said, her voice carrying an otherworldly melody. She looked upon him with an expression that was both knowing and serene, her smile unwavering.

Percy stopped a few feet away from her, his sea-green eyes narrowing slightly, his instincts flaring with caution. "Who are you? And where the hell am I?"

The woman's smile deepened, her tone gentle and inviting. "All your questions will be answered, Perseus. But first… let us talk."

"Talk about what? Who are you? What is this place?" Percy demanded, his sea-green eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the woman in white.

His instincts bristled. Was this some sick trick by the so-called "righteous" gods? A ploy to lower his guard before slapping him in chains for his supposed "crimes"? The thought set his teeth on edge.

The woman, however, seemed unperturbed by his suspicion. She smiled gently and introduced herself. "My name is Yumiko, and this is the Realm of In-Between." She gestured gracefully to the endless expanse around them, her calm demeanor almost unsettling in its serenity.

"The Realm of In-Between?" Percy echoed, his gaze shifting from her to the strange, ethereal world. The words tasted foreign on his tongue, but they carried a weight that made his pulse quicken. His eyes darted to the rippling ground beneath him, the colossal sphere above, and the endless white sky that seemed to stretch on forever. "And what, exactly, is the purpose of this 'In-Between'?"

"It is a place of transition, Perseus," Yumiko replied, her voice soft. "A space between worlds, between destinies. You have been brought here for a reason."

"A reason?" Percy scoffed, a bitter edge creeping into his voice. "Right. Because I haven't had enough 'reasons' lately. Betrayal, exile, my mother... all very good reasons."

Yumiko's expression remained serene. "The past is a heavy burden, Perseus. But it does not define your future. You have been given a chance to forge a new path, a new destiny."

"By who? The same gods who turned their backs on me?" Percy asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.

"By forces greater than the gods themselves," Yumiko said, her gaze unwavering. "Forces that recognize the strength within you, the potential to become something more."

Percy's jaw tightened. "Something more? What, some kind of cosmic pawn in another divine game?" He shook his head, a wry chuckle escaping him. "No thanks. I've had my fill of prophecies and destinies."

"This is not a game, Perseus," Yumiko said, her voice firm yet gentle. "It is an opportunity. A chance to use your strength, your resilience, for a purpose beyond yourself."

"And what purpose is that?" Percy asked, his sea-green eyes narrowing. "To save another world? Fight another war? I'm tired, lady. Tired of being a hero."

"To find your own path, Perseus," Yumiko replied, her white eyes reflecting the faint glow of the floating sphere. "To define yourself, not by the expectations of others, but by the choices you make. To find a place where you belong, where your strength is not a burden, but a gift."

Percy stared at her, his expression a mix of skepticism and a flicker of something he hadn't felt in a long time – hope. He'd been so consumed by bitterness and betrayal that he'd almost forgotten what it felt like to believe in something, anything.

"And how am I supposed to do that?" he asked, his voice softer now. "I'm stuck in some… in-between place, with no idea where to go or what to do."

"You are not stuck, Perseus," Yumiko said, her smile returning. "You are being given a chance to choose. The card you hold is the key. It has opened a door to a new world, a world where your unique abilities will be needed."

Percy glanced down at the card, the golden patterns shimmering in the ethereal light. "A new world? What kind of world?"

"A world called Aethelrys," Yumiko said, her voice filled with a hint of anticipation. "A world where magic flows like rivers, where ancient powers stir, and where destiny is not predetermined, but forged by the choices of those who dare to dream."

"Magic?" Percy raised an eyebrow, a hint of his old sarcasm returning. "Real magic? Not the godly parlor tricks I'm used to?"

"Aetheric magic," Yumiko corrected, her tone patient. "A force that permeates all things, a power that can be shaped and molded by those with the will and the skill. You, Perseus, possess a unique resonance with this magic, a connection that will allow you to wield it in ways others cannot."

"And this card… it's supposed to get me there?" Percy asked, holding the card up.

"It is your conduit, your bridge," Yumiko confirmed. "But remember, Perseus, the journey is not without its trials. Aethelrys is a world of both wonder and danger. You will face challenges that will test your strength, your courage, and your very soul."

"Great," Percy muttered, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Just what I needed. More challenges."

"But also opportunities," Yumiko countered, her smile widening. "Opportunities to find new friends, to forge new alliances, to discover a new purpose. And perhaps… to finally find peace."

Percy looked at her, his sea-green eyes searching hers. He saw no deception, only a quiet certainty. He took a deep breath, the air in the Realm of In-Between feeling strangely light and clean.

"Alright," he said, his voice firm. "Alright, Yumiko. Tell me how this card works, and let's get this show on the road."

Yumiko's smile softened, a gentle warmth radiating from her white eyes. "It is not a matter of 'how,' Perseus, but of 'intent.' The card responds to your will, your desire to reach Aethelrys. Focus your mind, visualize the world I described, and let your spirit guide you."

Percy frowned, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Visualize? Like… picture it in my head?"

"Precisely," Yumiko confirmed. "Imagine the shimmering spires of Aethelgard, the whispering winds of the Silverwood Glade, the rugged peaks of the Grimstone Citadel. Feel the flow of Aetheric magic, the energy that binds Aethelrys together."

Percy closed his eyes, his mind struggling to grasp the abstract concepts Yumiko was presenting. He'd always been more of a hands-on kind of guy, relying on instinct and action rather than visualization. But he knew he had to try. He pictured the descriptions Yumiko gave, the feeling of magic, the sound of wind.

He thought of the spires, their translucent surfaces catching the light, shifting and rearranging with a life of their own. He imagined the vast forests, the ancient trees whispering secrets in the breeze. He pictured the sturdy dwarven citadels, carved into the mountains, the sounds of hammers ringing against stone.

He felt a faint warmth spreading through his chest, a tingling sensation that resonated with the warmth emanating from the card in his hand. The starburst at the center of the card pulsed brighter, its light growing more intense.

"Let your desire to reach Aethelrys become a beacon," Yumiko instructed, her voice a soothing melody. "Let it guide you through the In-Between."

Percy focused his mind, channeling his desire, his determination, his hope—however faint it was—into the card. He felt a surge of energy, a powerful pull that threatened to overwhelm him. The rippling ground beneath his feet shimmered, the colossal sphere above pulsed with light, and the endless white sky seemed to swirl around him.

The card in his hand glowed with an intense, blinding light, and the celestial symbols along its border flared with a radiant energy. He felt a strange sensation, like being pulled through a narrow tunnel, his body dissolving into pure energy.

"Remember, Perseus," Yumiko's voice echoed in his mind, fading as the light intensified. "Your strength is your own. Your destiny is yours to forge."

Then, the light reached its peak, and everything went white. Percy felt a dizzying sensation, a disorientation that made him feel like he was spinning through an endless void. And then, just as suddenly as it began, it stopped. The light faded, the spinning ceased, and Percy felt himself falling, tumbling through the air.

The abrupt cessation of movement was jarring. Percy's stomach lurched, a familiar sensation from his days of aerial combat. He instinctively twisted his body, attempting to orient himself in the sudden freefall. The air rushed past him, a stark contrast to the still, ethereal atmosphere of the Realm of In-Between.

He opened his eyes, the blinding white of the In-Between replaced by a dizzying panorama of rooftops, spires, and winding streets. Aethelgard. He was falling towards Aethelgard.

The city, as he'd visualized it, was even more breathtaking in reality. The shifting spires, crafted from that translucent material, caught the sunlight, creating a kaleidoscope of colors. The intricate bridges and winding staircases connected the tiered plateaus, forming a complex network of pathways. Floating gardens, filled with vibrant flora, dotted the skyline, adding a touch of serene beauty to the urban landscape.

But he didn't have time to admire the view. He was falling, and fast.

Percy's demigod instincts kicked in. He reached out, searching for something, anything, to grab onto. But the smooth, crystalline surfaces of the spires offered no purchase. He needed to slow his descent, and fast.

He remembered Yumiko's words: "Your strength is your own." He focused his mind, channeling his inner strength, his connection to the elements. He felt a surge of energy, a familiar warmth spreading through his limbs.

He tried to picture the air around him, to feel its resistance, to manipulate it. He imagined the wind currents, the subtle shifts in pressure, and attempted to push against them, to create a cushion of air beneath him.

It was a clumsy attempt, a far cry from his control over water, but it was enough. The air around him thickened, slowing his descent slightly. He was still falling, but at a more manageable pace.

He spotted a floating garden below him, a lush patch of greenery hovering above a wide, open courtyard. It was his best chance.

He adjusted his trajectory, angling himself towards the garden. He felt a jolt as he crashed through the dense foliage, the soft leaves and branches breaking his fall. He landed with a thud, the impact jarring but not debilitating.

He lay there for a moment, catching his breath, the scent of exotic flowers filling his nostrils. The garden was a riot of colors and textures, a peaceful oasis amidst the bustling city.

He pushed himself up, brushing leaves and dirt from his replica Slifer Red jacket. He glanced up at the spires, their shifting forms casting long shadows across the courtyard. He was in Aethelgard, in Aethelrys.

He pulled the fortune card from his pocket. It was still warm, the starburst at its center glowing faintly. He looked around the garden, then to the courtyard below. He was in a new world, a world of magic and mystery.

"Well," he muttered to himself, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Here we go."