The World Offers You A Deal

Time became a blur.

Nothing stood out to him. Without Alice he felt alone, without a purpose. His family tried to help, but to little avail. Time continued as he rotted away in his room, and he spiraled further from sanity.

When he was introduced to A World's Legacy he didn't plan to spend as much time as he did. Only attempting it to not be bothered. Yet when he arrived at the village, when the bright smiling face greeted him again. . . He felt like an old missing piece was finally returned.

Lemon, the bright young girl was nearly a carbon copy of Alice. Such sheer coincidence was almost not believed, but time proved it to be true. With a new life Gear spent all his time trying to help out, as if trying to pay back what he couldn't before.

He felt alive again.

But now she was gone too.

-><-

"I. . ."

Gear looked at his broken sword. The memories of Harold teaching him how to care for it surfaced for a moment. But such pleasant things were shattered just like his sword.

He always lacked the strength. When he finally thought he was making way, a new height made itself known. This one higher than the last. Once again he was powerless. Everything he grew to love was being ripped from him again.

What was it all for then?

Gear despaired, and was helpless as Harold began to step away from the commotion. He couldn't even avenge the people he cared for. Closing his eyes he wished for it all to go away. His finger raising towards the logout button. He didn't want to do this anymore.

"Gear."

Slowly opening his eyes he saw a familiar person standing in front of him. With a pained expression he immediately said, "I couldn't-"

"Don't give up."

"But I can't, I'm not strong enough. Even those with strength couldn't."

"But Gear. . . if you let him go there will be others experiencing what you are."

"Granny Rey. . . even your liquid couldn't harm him."

She shook her head, "Stand up Gear, if not to prevent others from suffering, then to avenge us, or for yourself. You must not let him get away."

"I-I can't. I can barely hold my own against low tier Chimera. How-"

"Please."

Granny Rey extended a hand, a fragment of his sword lying in her ghostly palm. Outstretching a shaky hand Gear grabbed the fragment. With a weak voice he answered her plea, "I will try, even until my dying breath."

A hero is not someone who fixes problems. It's someone who tries to help, even until their last moment. No matter how strong they may or may not be. No matter how large the scale they help. Whether it's someone who stops the ending of the world. Or a passerby who helps out a small village.

That was who Gear was. The hero drawn by Alice, the one who always tried to fix things. He was not a hero because he succeeded, but rather because he never stopped trying.

Granny Rey smiled, "Thank you."

Suddenly the other fragments of his sword began to fly towards him. Lifting themselves off the ground back to their place on his sword. Each piece held by a different villager. Gear watched as his sword was put back together.

Finally, the half piece that first broke off appeared. Lemon carrying it across the rubble of the once humble village. Lifting it towards Gear with both hands she smiled, "I found it!"

This piece also was placed back onto the sword, with a faint click it was completed and the cracks of the sword began to glow.

<The villagers wish you to fight.>

<The sword wishes to fight with you.>

<Their will manifests and the sword will undergo a last stand.>

<The World takes notice.>

<The World offers you a deal.>

<Do you accept?>

Gear raised his finger, "If it means putting a stop to this."

Pressing 'Yes' caused the space to ripple around him. A violet energy fell from the sky and was absorbed through his skin. Along with this came more notifications.

<The World is upholding its end of the deal.>

<The World asks you to do the same.>

<Your class is forcibly changing!>

<Class successfully changed to [World Knight]!>

<In exchange for the power gifted, you are to dedicate yourself to hunting Heresy!>

<The Mirrors of the Sun add a gift!>

<Additional changes are being made!>

Gear felt no excitement. Although the strength being granted was something anyone could get drunk off of, he only felt a chilling certainty. He must defeat Harold here. No matter their memories made, such things couldn't be forgiven.

<You have been granted the Spirit of the Moon!>

<Your MP has changed into Spirit!>

<Several Skills have been added!>

<Your Stats have been drastically increased!>

"You're our Hero Gear.", Lemon said with a smile.

Being surrounded by the villagers Gear couldn't help but feel bittersweet, "I will do my best. Thank you all."

They all faded away, being the last nail to solidify Gear's resolve. Holding his sword he pointed it upwards, "To think tonight is a full moon."

The moon seemed to drop a small liquid. It fell from the sky and splashed onto Gear's sword. The violet energy surged and swirled around him. His eyes reflected the light provided by the energy. Lowering his sword he inspected its reflection. As for what he saw. . . was something only he would see.

His gaze turned to the distant blacksmith. With a loud voice he shouted from the depths of his throat, "Harold!!!"

Harold stopped and turned to face Gear's direction, "Why must you stand?"

Gear took up a stance. His sword swirling with violet energy, a determined gleam in his eyes, "This ends here and now."

Harold shook his head, "I didn't want to do this."

Extending out a hand the flesh exploded and revealed a blacksmith's hammer. It too was made of flesh, and it beat like a heart, "However I agree. This ends now."