[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: So you're saying I'm talking to a knight-mage from some fantasy kingdom…And a nurse—a male one at that—from a world with no Grimm, no Aura, no Faunus?
[Reluctant_Recluse]: Yes. That's correct, Mr. Branwen.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: Qrow's fine. "Mr. Branwen" makes me sound like I pay taxes on time.And kid… if this is a prank, it's a damn impressive one.
Elio kept his breathing steady. Calm tone. Professional approach.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: Alright, Qrow. I understand this doesn't make sense. But I need you to trust me. Everything I've told you—and Ms. Scarlet—is as real as your own lives.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: Haaa… I'm way too sober for this conversation. Give me a minute. I need a drink.
[Fairy_Titania]: It is remarkable, Elio. To think we originate from entirely separate realities. A world without magic… it must be peaceful.
Elio almost laughed.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet, Ms. Scarlet.
[Fairy_Titania]: Is that so? A world without magic or constant warfare sounds… preferable. I would not object to seeing it myself.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: Yeah, what she said. If your world doesn't have Grimm chewing on everything that moves, I could use a vacation there. Good food. Quiet nights. No monsters.
Elio rubbed his temple.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: Even if you could visit, where would you stay? My apartment is small. And trust me—my world is far from peaceful.
There was a pause.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: …Yeah. Fair enough.
[Fairy_Titania]: Every world has its own conflicts. I spoke too soon.
Elio straightened.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: Now that introductions are complete, I should explain what I know about the purpose of this group.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: Finally. That's the part I've been waiting for.
Elio hesitated.
Then chose honesty.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: I will be completely transparent…I don't know the full reason we were gathered either.
Silence.
Longer this time.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]:…You're kidding.
Not outrage. Disbelief.
[Fairy_Titania]: Explain yourself.
Elio swallowed.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: Before either of you joined, I heard a voice. It informed me that this group would receive missions. Completing them would grant rewards. No additional details were provided.
The atmosphere changed.
Sharper.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]:So let me get this straight…Some mysterious voice taps you on the shoulder, hands you admin privileges to the multiverse, and you just… roll with it?
That sarcasm? As expected of that guy.
[Fairy_Titania]: You accepted responsibility without understanding its source? That is… reckless.
Erza would call it out plainly.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: I didn't summon you. The system selected members at random. I was assigned Administrator. I won't lie—I don't fully understand it. But I won't withhold information from you either.
Pause.
Then he added:
[Reluctant_Recluse]: If I discover more, you will know immediately.
Silence again.
Measured.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]:…You don't sound like you're lying. Just in way over your head. But fine. I'll stick around. But if this turns ugly, I'm blaming you first.
Half-joke. Half-warning.
Then—
[Fairy_Titania]: Trust is not given lightly. However, you have shown honesty. That is sufficient—for now.
A pause.
[Fairy_Titania]: Do not betray that trust.
Short. Heavy. And scary.
Even through text, Elio felt the pressure.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: For now, let us conclude this meeting. Remain safe in your respective worlds.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: Yeah. I've got Grimm to deal with. Later, kid.
[Fairy_Titania]: Until our next discussion.
The chat fell silent.
And for the first time since it began—
Elio felt the weight of leadership settle fully on his shoulders.
Elio slowly lowered his phone onto the couch beside him.
He felt drained.
More exhausted than after a twelve-hour hospital shift.
Everything had happened so suddenly. Realizing who they were—who he had invited—nearly made him drop his phone earlier.
"I can't believe I just talked to actual fictional characters…"
He stared at the ceiling.
Erza Scarlet.
Qrow Branwen.
Characters he had only ever seen on a screen.
"Noah would lose his mind if he knew," he muttered. "Especially about Erza. She's one of his favorites."
The mental image of Noah fanboying uncontrollably almost made him laugh.
Almost.
But the amusement faded quickly.
A new problem surfaced.
A much bigger one.
"How am I supposed to tell them… that they're fictional in my world?"
He sat up.
If he told them the truth, they might panic. Rage. Feel insulted. Question their entire existence.
If he didn't tell them, he would look even more suspicious.
He groaned, running a hand through his hair.
"Why does this feel like a psychological landmine?"
He had wanted a peaceful vacation.
Instead, he was managing interdimensional trust issues.
He was overthinking again.
Grumble.
His thoughts froze.
He looked down.
Right. He hadn't eaten since breakfast.
"I should eat first," he sighed. "Thinking on an empty stomach is illegal."
He walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge. Leftovers from yesterday stared back at him.
Cooking felt like too much effort.
Ordering fast food felt irresponsible.
Microwaving leftovers it was.
"I'll deal with existential crises after lunch."
Because clearly, explaining the multiverse was easier than deciding whether to reveal to two powerful warriors that, in his world…
They were fictional characters.
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(Afternoon)
After finishing his lunch—leftover chicken parmesan from yesterday, followed by a generous scoop of ice cream—Elio washed the dishes and placed them neatly on the rack to dry. With nothing urgent to do, he settled onto the couch and turned on the television.
"Now what to do… what to do?" he muttered.
The TV played idly in the background, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
Qrow.
Erza.
The truth.
How exactly was he supposed to tell two powerful warriors that, in his world, they were fictional characters? That he had watched their stories unfold on a screen?
That he knew things about them they hadn't told him?
His head began to ache just thinking about it.
Before he could spiral further, his phone suddenly rang.
He blinked.
"Who could that be?"
He picked it up and smiled.
"Oh—it's Mom."
It was a video call.
He quickly adjusted his posture and answered.
"Hello po.
"Anak! Buti sumagot ka. Kamusta ka na? Nakalimutan mong tumawag kahapon, nag-aalala ako sa'yo."
(Son! I'm glad you answered. How are you? You forgot to call yesterday—I was worried about you.)
Elio smiled warmly.
"Ayos lang naman po ako, Ma. Bakasyon ko po ngayon. Napagod lang ako kahapon kaya hindi ako nakatawag."
(I'm fine, Mom. I'm on vacation right now. I was just tired yesterday, so I couldn't call.)
"Kayo po, Ma? Kamusta naman kayo? Kamusta po ang pamilya?"
(How about you? How's everyone there?)
"Ayos lang naman kami, anak. Tatay mo nagtatrabaho pa rin, ako nagbebenta pa rin sa tindahan, tapos si bunso nag-aaral mabuti."
(We're all doing fine. Your father is still working, I'm still running the store, and your little brother is studying hard.)
She leaned closer to the camera.
"Miss na miss ka na ni Nathan. Sabi niya umuwi ka na sa Pinas."
(Nathan misses you so much. He keeps telling me you should come home to the Philippines.)
"Kawawa naman si Nathan talaga."(Poor Nathan.) Elio chuckled softly.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"Ma, dumating na po ang sahod ko bago ako magbakasyon. Iniisip kong magpadala ng balikbayan box sa inyo. Isasama ko po ang parte ng sahod ko."
(Mom, I received my salary before my vacation. I'm thinking of sending a balikbayan box and including part of my salary for you.)
His expression dimmed slightly.
"Kaso wala pa po akong maisip kung ano ang ilalagay, kaya baka matagalan ninyo makuha."
(I just haven't decided what to put inside yet, so it might take a while before you receive it.)
"Ayos lang iyon, anak. Magpahinga ka muna."
(That's alright. Rest first.)
There was a pause.
"Anak… may problema ka ba?"
(Son… is something bothering you?)
Elio blinked.
"Wala po, Mama. Madami lang akong iniisip."
(Nothing's wrong, Mom. I just have a lot on my mind.)
"Pwede mong sabihin sa akin. Alam kong nag-o-overthink ka."
(You can tell me. I know you tend to overthink.)
He laughed softly.
"Si Mama talaga… alam ang lahat."
(Mom really knows everything.)
He chose his words carefully.
"Nabigyan po ako ng malaking responsibilidad sa trabaho. Natatakot po ako na baka hindi ko kayanin."
(I was given a big responsibility at work. I'm afraid I might not handle it well.)
His mother smiled gently.
"Anak, kakayanin mo iyan. Balikan mo ang lahat ng natutunan mo. At tandaan mo—nandito lang kami para sa'yo."
(You can handle it. Remember everything you've learned. And don't forget—we're always here for you.)
Elio felt something in his chest loosen.
"Salamat po, Mama. Mas gumaan na ang pakiramdam ko."
(Thank you, Mom. I feel lighter now.)
"Ma, si kuya ba iyan?"
(Mom, is that big brother?)
A younger voice suddenly chimed in.
"Oh! Nandito na si bunso. Halika, Nathan."
(Oh! The youngest is here. Come here, Nathan.)
Nathan's small face popped into view
"Kuya! Uwi ka na! Miss na miss na kita!"
(Big brother! Come home already! I miss you!)
Elio laughed.
"Gusto ko sana, bunso. Pero maikli lang ang bakasyon ko."
(I want to, but my vacation is short.)
Nathan puffed his cheeks in protest.
"Pero gusto na kitang makita ngayon!"
(But I want to see you now!)
Before the tantrum could escalate, Elio quickly said—
"Ganito na lang. Bibigyan kita ng regalo pag-uwi ko. Basta magpakabait ka at mag-aral nang mabuti."
(How about this—I'll bring you a gift when I come home. Just behave and study well.)
Nathan's eyes lit up instantly.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
After a few more exchanges, they said their goodbyes.
"Mag-ingat ka diyan, anak."
(Take care, son.)
"Bye-bye, kuya!"
(Bye-bye, big brother!)
The call ended.
Elio leaned back on the couch and exhaled.
"Wow… I really needed that."
Family.
No matter the distance, they always grounded him.
And now—
"I know what I need to do."
Determination filled his eyes.
But before addressing the group chat, he had something else to handle.
"I should probably use the other tickets… just in case a mission appears. Better safe than sorry." He opened the app and selected the Random Weapon Coupon.
The screen glowed.
[Do you wish to use the Random Weapon Coupon?]
"Yes."
[DING!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the weapon: Bakal na Krus (Iron Cross).]
[Bakal na Krus (Iron Cross): A sacred, shape-shifting iron cross forged as a divine weapon against darkness. It can transform into multiple combat forms—sword, bow, whip, spear, and shield—each embodying a core virtue: bravery, wisdom, justice, valor, and skill. Though simple in appearance, it holds immense mystical energy capable of purifying evil and overwhelming supernatural foes. It is both a weapon and a symbol of protection and righteousness.]
Elio blinked.
"Wait… what?"
Before he could react—
A blinding light erupted in the middle of his living room.
He shielded his eyes.
When the light faded, something rested on his table.
An red-gold iron cross.
Sturdy. Symmetrical. Broad metallic arms extending in four balanced directions. Gold accents lined the edges. Blue gem-like inlays shimmered at each tip and at the center. The lower segment formed a reinforced grip wrapped in dark red-brown leather.
It looked sacred.
Ancient.
Powerful.
Not decorative.
A weapon.
A very real weapon.
A Very familiar weapon.
Elio stared at it.
Then shouted—
"HOLY SHEESH!!!"
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(TO BE CONTINUED)
Name: Eliandro "Elio" Cruz
Ability: Quick Learner
Weapon: Bakal na Krus (Iron Cross)
Multiverse Chat Group
Administrator: Eliandro "Elio" Cruz (Username: Reluctant_Recluse)
Members:
Erza Scarlet (Username: Fairy_Titania)
Qrow Branwen (Username: Unlucky_Alcoholic)