Chapter 16: The Plan of Hope

Disclaimer: I own nothing, this is purely a fanfic for enjoyment.

Cross-over from various games, books, anime, manga, and movies.

The familiar characters you see here belong to their respected authors and owners.

'Thoughts'

"Active skill name or magic spell"

'Active skill name or magic spell in thought'

"Activation phrase"

'Activation Phrase in thoughts'

"Speech"

action*

Time*

Noise*

(Location)

[Skill Name] - Passive or Active - DE cost: or none

Description: Info on skill

[Item Type: [Type]

[Name: [Item Name]

Durability: 100%/100%

Quality: Poor - Common - Uncommon - Epic - Legendary - Ascendant

Grade: E-/EX

Value: [System Point/(Cannot be sold to [TM System])

Description: Info on [Item Name]

[Extra Info: [Extra Info]

Chapter 16: The Plan of Hope

A week later*

Year: 1 | Month: 10 | Week: 2 | Day 5: A Chance

(Unknown Town)

After arriving in this abandoned Town, where there are buildings still intact and not falling apart with just a touch. Furthermore, we didn't even need that many buildings in the first place with our current numbers.

For food and water. Both Shigure and I got that covered via our [Systems] and if we don't spend any [System Points] other than food and water. Then we are set for a thousand-year at minimum for everyone. But, there is no way anyone of us going to go with that route.

Therefore, Shigure and I would sometime hunt down Yoma for the spare [System Points] and use them to create items to be sold to our own [Systems] for more points whenever we feel like it.

"Enma." Pyrrha calls for my attention after leaving Baby Beel with Seria. "Do you have anything I can help you and Shigure to gain more [System Points]. Maybe teach me how to craft things?"

I tap my chin with my right index finger, thinking about any [Crafting Skills] for Pyrrha to learn, that just doesn't help Shigure and me gain more [System Points]. But, also something could be used on the battlefield.

"Well, there [Potion Making], where they are liquid substances with magical effects. It depends on the materials and methods of making them." I replied, lacking the coldness in my voice since we arrived in our new temporary home. But, the bitterness is still there and I didn't bother to hide it.

"Do either yours or Shigure's [Systems] have [Potion Making]?" Pyrrha asks with a little worry in her voice due to not being able to do anything and if this [Potion Making] thing happens to be part of the two [Systems] would make it difficult for her to help out in some way.

"Well, Shigure should have my old [Jack of Crafts Mastery]. I never did raise it passed [Offical Rank]. So no idea if Shigure purchased that [Skill] yet. But, with that [Skill], [Potion Making] would fall under it. As for my [Type-Moon System]. I think there is one, but I'm not that interested in that and have other things to focus on instead." I answered Pyrrha's question. Plus, in my [Soul], there should be a [Potion Making Skill] among the [Soul Fragments] up for me to grab, which may or may not be greater than the one belonging to the [Type-Moon System].

"So, anything else, that may not be in the [Jack of Crafts Mastery] or from the [Systems]?" Pyrrha asks with a hint of hope, for her to do anything to help right now other then do nothing besides combat training.

"Give me a moment to think." I answered, not daring to think as something not important as it looks like Pyrrha may need something to distract her like the rest of us do. Shigure already has something to do to distract herself by making bladed weapons using her family's [Blacksmith Skills], that very advanced that can make materials and objects do things that should be physically impossible for them to do, even if they're made of mundane materials.

Seira took over the role of cooking for everyone. Which no one complained about, even though I could easily make food with the [Cooking Transmutation Circle]. Nevertheless, all of us need something to do and Seria picked cooking.

"Actually, I have something else I may need your help with." Something just pops in my mind. 'Hopefully, it something Pyrrha would like.'

Pyrrha peak up at this, "What is it, Enma?"

"I don't know if you remember how I explained the origin of the others, but I should be able to bring Artoria to us, or at least our version since I have the [Type-Moon System], which is the best thing to bring her back. The others, I have no ideas at all. Maybe you can help me think of anything to bring them back. The children, I have no absolutely have no clue how to bring them back without ending up harming them through some of the methods I know." I said to Pyrrha, who looks like she ready for anything before pouting at me near the end.

"Enma." Pyrrha said with a hint of frustration, "I don't think I'm the right person to being asked to do this." Pyrrha really wanted to help, but she doesn't possess the [Skills Set] to do such an important task.

"Right." I frown and realize, that Pyrrha wasn't that the type of person to do a very long period of researches nor does she have anything to help complete the task, which made me realize I'm making Pyrrha doing the impossible. "Oh, wait." I just remember something very important about Pyrrha. "With your [Semblance], can you use it to bring up the rare metal deep in the earth? If you can do that, both Shigure and I should lower our [System Points] usage further if you can bring us the materials that naturally come from the earth. Sure, it may be low quality, but this would be better for both Shigure and me as we don't have to worry about causing too many mistakes and we can experiment and learn from our mistakes easier without having to waste more [System Points] for certain materials." I explained to Pyrrha after remembering her [Semblance] and that it could be used for other things than helping her in combat.

"Yeah, I can do that!" Pyrrha shouted with excitement and rush out of the house we've been using to live in, to search for those rare metals deep into the earth.

"She either ignored or was only focusing on certain keywords." I mumble to myself, as Pyrrha literally didn't mention a single thing about how Artoria can be brought back to us. Since it looks like she the easiest one out of the others to return back to us.

And so, I asked the [Type-Moon System] if there any way to bring Artoria, my beautiful Goddess, back and not some other parallel version instead of the one I'm married to and love.

To my disbelief, it was very easy, but at the same time very hard. Because to bring Artoria to me and not into a body of a [Servant] or something that allows others to control her. But, her actual real body, that hasn't been destroyed/killed/or faded away.

The cost?

1 billion [System Points] without any side-effects or downsides tagging along.

50 million [System Points] for her true body to appear, but require 1 million [System Points] every month to keep her true body in the same dimension I am in.

10 million [System Points] to have her in a [Servant Body], but require 500,000 [System Points] to keep the [Servant Body] from fading.

1 million [System Points] to have her as a [Servant]; however, I would have to trigger a [Holy Grail War] and the [Type-Moon System] will pick random candidates to be the other 6 masters in the deadly tournament.

So yeah, these are my options and no way am I triggering a [Holy Grail War] since after it was done; Artoria will disappear too along with it. Furthermore, the wish I gain from the [Holy Grail War] is very limited, making this the least/worse option to take.

Therefore, I didn't hesitate to pick the one billion [System Points] option. Since I already have the right amount of [System Points] to pick this option. After all, thanks to getting the [Magecraft: Alteration] at [Rank: Transcend]. A [Rank] I did not think would exist. Then, the [Type-Moon System] explained how it picked this name as for the [Rank] and I'm the first one in history to have a new [Rank] created just for me. However, due to this, if there another [Rank] above [Transcend], then I need to manually reach it as the [Type-Moon System] has no way of gaining this knowledge.

This is something unbelievable since the [Type-Moon System] contains the knowledge of the past, present, and future. Nevertheless, I didn't care about this and just happy to have the right amount of [System Points] to bring one of my dead wives back. Not caring, that I'm throwing away 1 billion [System Points] away for someone. Since I can regain back all the [System Points] back in time and effort. Getting back my dead wives and children is something impossible and not easily be done.

But, before I call Artoria back to me, I need to gather the others to plan this out. Because if I just summon Artoria through the [Type-Moon System]. Chances are, that something will come to ruin our current, temporary, peaceful life as a counterbalance for the return of Artoria.

1 month later*

Year: 1 | Month: 11 | Week: 2 | Day 5: Hope...

(Unknown Town)

At first, I wanted to see if we can reunite with one that we lost as soon as possible, but realize, that if I do use that 1 billion [System Points]. There is a high chance problem will occur and Shigure's [System Points] won't be able to take care of it as she still needs to unlock the other [Skill/Magic] in the [Persona System].

Therefore, an entire month was mainly focused on gathering more [System Points]. Also, thanks to Pyrrha, we found a large number of rare minerals just up north of where the Town we're staying. Just require digging, to make a pit for us to get them. Didn't even take a day for us and Pyrrha can easily carry all of them with her [Semblance] alone.

What's more, these rare minerals alone has saved both Shigure and me, millions of [System Points] as they are very rare even in both [Systems]. Overall, I would say gathering more and more [System Points] to the point, where Shigure and I can make 100 million [System Points] if we push ourselves a bit.

Now, the moment of truth.

DING!*

System Message: Host, the dimension you're in has less than 0.1% of success in summoning Artoria Pendragon, also known as the [Lion King], the wandering [Goddess Rhongomyniad] from [Avalon]. Please find a better dimension to increase the success rate as the connection between Artoria Pendragon and this dimension is non-existence.

Do you wish to continue this process?

[Yes/No]

Addition Note: The use of [System Points] will not be refunded if fail.

I twitch at this, and the land and the sky begun to shake as my killing intent leak out again, but I quickly reel it back in before I end up ruining this dimension and we will have to switch to another. Something we can't just yet as we're not ready.

"What's wrong Enma?" Pyrrha asks me with concern, "Did something happen?"

"Was it due to something stopping you from summoning Artoria?" Shigure follows up with a question of her own.

"Yeah, the connection between Artoria and this dimension is non-existence; therefore, the chance of her summoning here is below 0.1%." I said with bitterness, causing everyone to frown on this.

"How about we leave this dimension then? There is nothing here for us to take advantage of, other than killing these Yoma for [System Points] and that isn't even much, to begin with. If it's to prepare ourselves for future dangers, then we can still do that in another dimension by experiencing whatever fate throw at us. We're not getting stronger by sticking around here." Shigure tries her best to persuade her lover's mind at the thought of staying in this dimension any longer.

Pyrrha and Seira noticing this, quickly join in to persuade their husband to leave this dimension for another.

It was until almost half an hour with all three wives of mine, that I somehow almost fall asleep with all of them talking nonstop. I would have fallen asleep too, if it wasn't for Baby Beel helping me out by poking me to snap out of it.

"Alright, we'll leave." I said in a tired voice, the urge to sleep is suppressed right away before I end up pissing off my wives for sleeping while they're talking to me.

"Great! Do you have the ability to pick which dimension for us to go to?" Pyrrha asks with a hint of hope.

"Kind of." I said dryly since I can easily figure out that Pyrrha's desire for us to head to the dimension of RWBY. I checked if there was one in this universe. Sadly, there were none and I have no idea if I can bring everyone to another universe or the one we were in before coming to this universe.

The first time was pure accident and I figure traveling through universes requires the [Second Magic] to be at [Rank: Transcend]. Because [Rank: Grandmaster] doesn't give me the option to do it manually and only by accident. A chance really.

"Does that mean-!" Pyrrha was sadly cut off before she could finish when she saw her lover shaking his head, causing Pyrrha's excitement to die instantly. "Oh..." Pyrrha looks at the ground with eyes filled with sadness.

"Well, I guess we do our thing then. Let's leave it to Enma to find the right dimension to strengthen the connection with Artoria, for a higher chance of her coming back to us." Shigure said to everyone, then let out a sigh and head out of the building to resume on grinding more [System Points].

Seira quietly nods at her master, then head to the kitchen to make lunch as it's close to the time for everyone to eat.

This leaves Pyrrha, Baby Beel, and me by ourselves in the living room in silence.

I almost start going through all the dimensions I have access to travel, to check which one has the strongest connection for Artoria, even debating going to the dimension where the [Type-Moon System] is from or at least a parallel version of the Nasuverse. Before doing all that, I remember that the [Type-Moon System] is much more helpful and willing to answer all my questions. So, that's what I did by asking the [System] for any dimensions I have access to with my current rank [Second Magic] for the highest connection rate to summon Artoria. My Artoria.

To my shock and bitterness. The response I got from the [Type-Moon System] is that the highest success rate I can get currently with the best dimension available is 30%. Also, there is no option for increasing the success rate either. With the main factor due to not being in the right universe, and even then, having a 30% success rate is already considered good.

Frowning at such a low success and I know for sure, that I'll be wasting lots of [System Points] by testing my luck on this 30% success rate for who knows how long. This requires me to head to the best dimension and stay there for months, years even. But, that's fine with me since at least I will be able to get one of my deceased wives back.

Ironic enough, the best dimension isn't the Nasuverse. But, the Katekyo Hitman Reborn, where I need to get the [Mare Rings] due to their special ability to see into parallel worlds. Something that would boost the effects of the [Second Magic] from what [Type-Moon System] told me. The [Jeweled Sword Zelretch] isn't even an option due to its being mainly used for an attack while the [Mare Rings] technically could be used for attacks, but not its main feature.

'Now, to make an outline plan and more plans for backups.' I thought to myself, as I begin talking with Pyrrha and later with both Seira and Shigure coming back to join in the discussion.

A week later*

Year: 1 | Month: 11 | Week: 3 | Day 5: Getting Ready

(Unknown Town)

"So we got everything?" I ask my wives, while we ignore the roar of Yoma trying to break into this Town we have been staying for a while. We made sure place down some blockages to prevent unwanted guests entering our temporary home, where the moment we revealed the true origin of the Yoma. Everything became a mess in this world, where now many Claymores have gone rogue and started doing whatever they wanted. This includes killing humans, mostly bandits to be exact, and Yoma trying to search for the Organization. Many things occur outside this Town.

"Of course." Pyrrha gives everyone a nod.

"I triple checks already." Shigure said to everyone.

"Got everything, Master." Seira said calmly.

"Get ready for anything that may come at us the moment we appear in the new dimension." I begin drawing multiple [Concealment Rune Spells] in the air, then using [Projection] to create the [Combat Knife] wielded by my past self, Enma Nikos, including the history and experience for going quick and silence takedown. There is never such a thing for being too prepared.

I use the [Second Magic] to create a portal from this dimension to the Katekyo Hitman Reborn's dimension. In the timeline before the [Mare Rings] are obtained by their true owners.

(Namimori: Shrine)

Stepping through the portal, where I have already deployed [Ecological Derivation System] and other [Detecting Skills] to locate any other beings near our present location. So far, no one within here on this entire hill.

As the others walk through the portal created with [Second Magic]. I have closed the portal right away since who knows what would use the portal to travel here. After all, Shigure manages to do it, so others can do it too.

"Are we living in a Shrine?" Shigure asks her lover, where she found the Shrine is painted in red in color on the exterior, with the roof being grayish-yellow in color. There are also some trees and shrubs surrounding the Shrine. Also, there is a long staircase in front of the Shrine.

"For the time being, I guess. Though, I do have a task for you, Shigure and Seira, if the two of you are up for it." I said to Shigure, who already has the look of someone too eager to do something to distract herself.

"What is it?" Shigure asks with a hint of an urge to do something to distract the bad memory still fresh on her mind, including the bad news of not being able to bring back Artoria is another thing that pushes Shigure the desire to kill something.

Even Seira is eager to do something and already figure out what her Master/lover wanted.

"I need you two to get the [Mare Rings]. Seira here will tag along to help you out if you need it and able to message me if something comes up, that way both groups would know what is going on with the other side. Furthermore, I need you to help Seira to find any historical weapons worth Seira to absorb." I said to both Shigure and Seira. While explaining to them what these [Mare Rings] are and where they should be, if not, they will have to expand their search. Near the end, I mention how Seira will need more forms in case the one she currently has won't be enough to face some foes that either are immune to them or just too strong to be affected.

"Wait, how many forms do you have now, Seira?" Shigure forgot that Seira is also a [Demon Weapon] with the ability to transform into multiple weapons.

"I got [Death Scythe], [Thanatos], and [Judgement] that it. Three weapon forms. I didn't really have any idea what is the next weapon I should eat. Why you ask?" Seira tilts her head at Shigure.

"Just out of curiosity on my part." Shigure replied while thinking about researching more about this dimension's historical weapons before allowing Seira to absorb it. Furthermore, if it's nothing out of the ordinary, then she will do a few things to it before handing it over to Seira. "Alright, I'm ready to leave whenever you are."

"We should leave now, then." Seira said to Shigure, then both of them disappear from the area.

This leaves Pyrrha and me, along with Baby Beel being carried by Pyrrha alone in this Shrine.

"Enma. How long do you think it will take them to receive these [Mare Rings]?" Pyrrha asks with concern for those two, for she has no idea what powerful beings in this very world. For all she knows, there might be some kind of being that could wipe their existences if they get on this being's bad side. Of course, she trusts her husband and Shigure to take on these powerful beings thanks to their [Systems].

"Honestly, I have no idea. But, for now, we should figure out if we should actually stay at this Shrine during our stay in this dimension or find another place instead." I answered Pyrrha's question. 'Hopefully soon. So I can have Artoria back in my life. Maybe even the others too once I figure a method to get them back.' I felt this small hope that could either bring me salvation or absolute despair the moment I find everything failed.

"Alright." Pyrrha nods her head while holding onto Baby Beel, who seems to be distracted by the view of the place and curious about what he could find.

"Come on, let's go inside to check if this Shrine has been taken care of or it's abandoned." I said to Pyrrha as we head into the Shrine.

A few hours later*

So far, the place is considered abandoned with all the dust and cobwebs everywhere. Both Pyrrha and I debate on staying here or not by checking the entire place and we've decided, that we will due to the fact, that there are enough rooms for a family that has a duty to take care of this Shrine and everything else to run it. However, neither Pyrrha or I could find out who this Shrine belongs to nor who does its association with. Be it a divine being or a sacred person or relic, marked by some symbol. Yet, we couldn't find anything at all. As if someone did their absolute best to erase whoever or whatever this Shrine was built for.

Nonetheless, Pyrrha and I did our best to clean the place to make it more livable and not something a place for some students to come in, for a bravery test.

Ironically enough, this place should have cause Baby Beel and me to be very uncomfortable to be at due to being demonic beings. But, at least we find out why after realizing, that we should have left early on before something bad would happen to Baby Bell. For me, on the other hand, I would be fine for who knows how long due to being an [Archdemon].

"So..." Pyrrha begins as she has finished putting Baby Beel to sleep. "We're alone now..."

I nod at this.

"Shigure and Seira are not going to come back any time soon..." Pyrrha continues off.

"Correct." I nod again.

"This place is pretty much abandoned until we came." Pyrrha continues to speak, trying to hint something important they could do with just the two of themselves alone.

"Again. Correct." I nod once again, 'I wonder why is Pyrrha bringing this up?'

"That means, no one will come here at all. The chance is near 0%." Pyrrha starting to get a bit annoyed with the way her lover is not getting the hint at all. For someone who knows a lot of things. He sure doesn't act like it.

"That's true." I'm beginning to think there is something Pyrrha trying to hint now.

"Enma. Let's have sex for the entire night." Pyrrha straight up telling her husband what she has been hinting this entire time and she really wants to do something pleasurable as a way to get her distracted from the dark thoughts that will soon appear soon nor does she want to go to sleep and have to experience the nightmare as she did for the past few days.

"Oh."

"Yeah, now block the sound so Baby Beel won't hear us and make love with me, you lovable fool."