PARS ERA - Year 316
At just ten years old, Arslan stood at the edge of the dangerous forest, the weight of a mysterious destiny resting on his shoulders.
He raised his hand and spoke with conviction: "Alice, summon the five goddesses who've endured five years of imprisonment."
From the crystal embedded in his wrist, a soft, melodic voice responded.
"Arslan, all you need to do is imagine who you wish to summon most. But know this: they will not retain any of their original memories. These goddesses are born from your heart and imagination. Through me, they'll speak any language you understand—but you must teach them how to feel, to love, to care. You must guide them in what it means to be human."
Arslan was taken aback. His eyes widened with a mix of guilt and surprise. "Wait… they don't remember anything? Then they didn't need to suffer like that. I feel awful now. I didn't mean to imprison anyone, especially if they were only born out my imagination."
He clenched his fists. "From now on, I'll only summon one goddess each year. They deserve freedom, not chains. And Alice… next time, please tell me things like this. I know I didn't ask, but I don't ever want to harm someone I care about again—especially not someone who might become… special to me."
Alice's voice softened. "Understood. I will inform you immediately if danger threatens your goddess—or anyone close to you."
Arslan smiled warmly. "Thanks, Alice."
He took a deep breath and began to chant with deep focus: "I summon Kagura Mikazuchi… Erza Scarlet… Lucy Heartfilia… Orihime Inoue… Rangiku Matsumoto…"
A swirl of radiant light descended into the forest. One by one, five breathtaking women appeared—naked, ethereal, glowing with divine beauty. It was as if the heavens had opened and gifted Arslan with living stars.
His heart pounded, but he composed himself, knowing he must be respectful to his future wife's.
He approached the nearest woman gently and said: "Hi. My name is Arslan. I'm your summoner… and your master, but also, your soulmate. If I may—what is your name?"
She looked at him, confused, trembling slightly as she sat on the soft forest floor. Her voice cracked: "I… I don't know."
Suddenly, she cried out in pain, clutching her arms around herself, haunted by memories of the cold, empty imprisonment she'd just left behind.
Without hesitation, Arslan dismounted his horse. From his infinite inventory, he summoned soft, comfortable clothing. He knelt beside each woman, offering a gentle embrace.
"You're safe now," he whispered. "You're free. I promise, you'll never be alone again."
He stood up, doing his best to suppress his emotions and urges. His voice was calm but firm. "Ladies… please put these on for now. We'll talk soon."
The goddesses looked at the clothes, stunned by how they had appeared out of thin air. Before they could ask, Arslan raised a hand, smiling kindly.
"I know you're curious. But first, please get dressed. I'll answer everything afterward—slowly, one step at a time."
They nodded, trusting the boy who had freed them. Ten minutes later, they returned—each adorned in beautifully tailored outfits that reflected their individual styles and grace.
Arslan looked at them with quiet admiration—not as objects, but as beings entrusted to him by fate.
"Now," he said softly, "let's get to know each other—properly. What you saw before was just a small magic trick."
Arslan stood before the five newly summoned goddesses, each of them stunning in her own unique way—powerful yet uncertain, radiant yet lost. Their eyes searched his face for meaning, for purpose, for identity.
He took a breath, then stepped forward with quiet confidence. One by one, he pointed to them, his voice gentle but resolute.
"Since you are reborn into this world without memories, allow me—your summoner—to give you names worthy of your beauty and spirit."
He turned to the first, her crimson hair catching the sunlight like a flame.
"You… will be Erza Scarlet. Like the color of your hair—fierce, noble, and burning with strength."
The second stood tall, her posture graceful and composed, with an air of serenity around her. "
You shall be Kagura Mikazuchi. 'Kagura' means divine dance, and 'Mikazuchi'—crescent moon. A name for one who is elegant and powerful, like a warrior under moonlight."
He moved to the third, whose golden hair and bright eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Your name will be Lucy Heartfilia—a believer in the heart, a light that guides others in the darkness."
The fourth goddess looked at him with gentle, compassionate eyes, as if she could feel the pain of others without a word spoken.
"You shall be called Orihime Inoue—the healing princess. A name meant for someone with a soul full of kindness."
Finally, he turned to the last. Her carefree expression didn't hide the depth in her gaze, wild and warm like untamed nature itself.
"And you… will be Rangiku Matsumoto—a name that means wild flower. Bold, beautiful, and unafraid to grow wherever the wind may take you."
He took a step back and looked at them all, now not as lost beings, but as individuals with purpose—his companions, his guardians, his soulmates.
"These are your names now. Carry them with pride. In time, you'll grow into the meaning behind each one."
The wind stirred gently through the trees, as if nature itself had accepted the names. And for a moment, even without their pasts, the five goddesses began to feel… real.
The dense forest around them grew darker with every step. Massive trees stretched like towers above their heads, vines coiling like snakes, and strange howls echoed in the distance.
Arslan walked ahead of the five goddesses, each of them still struggling to adjust to their new bodies. They stumbled over roots, flinched at sudden noises, and clung to him whenever shadows stirred.
A rustle in the bushes brought Arslan to a halt.
"Stay behind me," he said, narrowing his eyes.
From the thickets emerged a pack of feral beasts—snarling wolves with glowing eyes, fangs dripping with venom, larger than any ordinary creature.
The goddesses screamed in fear, clearly powerless.
Arslan gritted his teeth. He summoned a blazing sword from his inventory and dashed forward, slashing and weaving with skill far beyond his years. Each movement was graceful, practiced—a dance of survival and protection.
"Don't worry, I've got you!" he called back, flashing them a reassuring grin even as he fought off the monstrous wolves.
Despite their fear, the goddesses couldn't take their eyes off him—his bravery, his gentleness, the way he shielded them without hesitation. When the battle was done and the wolves lay defeated, Arslan stood panting, his shirt torn, dirt smudging his face—but smiling.
He turned, laughing slightly.
"You know, if you keep clinging to me like that, I might start to think you're falling for me."
Rangiku pouted playfully.
"You're not wrong, Master…"
Lucy blushed and looked away.
"It's not fair… you're so strong and we're so… useless."
Arslan frowned.
"I've been trying to train you, but none of your stats have increased. You should've awakened by now…"
He paused, then called out:
"Alice. I need an answer. Why aren't they growing stronger?"
Alice's soft voice replied in his mind:
"Because their hearts are no longer focused on power… but on you."
Arslan blinked.
"What does that mean?"
"They've developed deep emotional attachment—what we call 'blind love.' In this state, they've sealed their original strength subconsciously. To awaken their powers, they must form a complete soul bond with you."
"A soul bond?"
"Yes. A mutual connection of heart, body, and spirit. In most legends, this was sealed through physical intimacy. However, because you're still young, the bond can be formed through a ritual of mutual trust—a sacred promise."
Arslan let out a breath of relief.
"Good. Then I have time."
He turned back to the five women who were now looking at him not just as their protector—but as the one their hearts had chosen.
"Looks like I'll have to earn your trust properly, huh?"
Erza stepped forward, her eyes intense.
"You already have it, Arslan. But if you say we need to get stronger… then we'll find that strength with you."
Arslan nodded, his heart steady.
"Then let's make a promise—right here, under the stars. That no matter what danger comes, we face it together."
They all joined hands and a promise was made.
Six Months in Paradise | The Bond Beyond Flesh
A Question Left Unasked
One quiet morning beneath a sky brushed with lavender clouds, Alice's voice echoed gently in Arslan's thoughts.
"Arslan, if I may… why haven't you used your Appraisal Skill on the goddesses?"
The boy sat beneath a tree, legs crossed, gazing at the heavens beyond the treetops. The five goddesses—his companions—were laughing near the river, splashing water like children discovering the world for the first time.
His voice was steady.
"Because that's not what love is."
"Explain?"
He turned his head toward the sound of joy in the distance and smiled softly.
"Appraisal was a skill I asked for to spot enemies. Spies. Liars. Not to peek into the souls of the people I care about. I want to learn who they are—not read it off a screen. That's what makes the journey meaningful."
A moment of silence passed before Alice spoke again, her tone thoughtful and warm.
"You surprise me sometimes, Arslan. Very well… since you've chosen to walk the path of trust, I'll share something they cannot tell you yet."
Arslan turned his full attention to the voice.
"I'm listening."
"All five goddesses possess a rare divine trait: Consciousness Transfer. They can inhabit any living being—human, animal—or even enchanted weapons. The transfer lasts up to one full year. It's not permanent, and they can return to their original bodies when needed."
Arslan raised an eyebrow.
"That's… powerful. But how? They have no memories. No skills. No stats. Why would they still have this ability?"
Alice paused for the first time.
"I don't know. The system has no records. Perhaps it's a core part of who they are… something written into their essence before even the gods themselves intervened."
Arslan chuckled, rising to his feet.
"Forget it. Some truths aren't meant to be uncovered. Not yet."
Six Months of Growth
Time passed in peaceful rhythm.
From Monday to Friday, Arslan became a teacher.
He trained the goddesses in basic self-defense: boxing, kicking, takedowns—all techniques he remembered from Earth. He drilled them until their stances held steady, their punches sharp, and their confidence unshakable.
Each morning began with survival lessons:
How to fish with spears or hands.
How to trap deer and gather edible plants.
How to build shelters, light fires in the rain, and identify dangerous creatures.
He taught them:
"Don't trust every stranger. Not all smiles are kind. Learn to listen to your instincts. Stand up for the weak. Live with honor. Protect what you love."
His words carved themselves into their hearts like scripture.
On Saturdays and Sundays, Arslan retreated deeper into the forest, where he trained alone. He practiced mana control, pushing himself beyond exhaustion. His focus was on sealing spells into rings, testing both active and passive skills granted by the system.
He started as a beginner.
Six months later, he was becoming something else—a Master of Flow, capable of channeling magic like a river through stone.
The Evenings of the Heart
When the moon rose and the fire crackled, Arslan would sit with the goddesses beneath the stars.
He told them tales from Earth—romantic tragedies like Romeo and Juliet, humorous stories of awkward school dances, or chilling urban legends that made Orihime and Lucy cling to him in mock terror.
"Your world sounds like a dream," Erza whispered once.
"It was," he replied. "And so is this."
Every night, he pulled out the finest preserved meals from the Kingdom of Pars—simmered venison, seasoned rice, honey-dipped bread, and golden wine that sparkled like liquid starlight.
From his inventory storage, which preserved everything in a time-frozen state, he brought fresh clothes and boots, tailored for each of them. The goddesses dressed in styles that reflected their personalities—regal, wild, refined, or whimsical.
They began to blossom—no longer just summoned beings, but full, feeling women rediscovering their identities.
The Soul-Bond Ritual
One night, after a training session that left them all winded but smiling, Kagura approached Arslan beside the river.
Her voice was quiet.
"Master… I feel something. A pull. When I'm near you, I feel warm and real. But… there's a pain in my chest I can't explain."
Arslan nodded. He had felt it too—a strange tether, like invisible threads tying their hearts together.
That night, he asked Alice:
"What exactly is the soul-bond ritual?"
Alice replied:
"It is the final step of awakening. A bond formed not by words, but by truth. When a goddess gives her full heart to her summoner—and he, in turn, fully accepts her soul—their powers become one. Their memories may begin to return… and their divine strength will awaken."
"Is it… physical?"
"For adults, yes. For you, it will manifest as a pure resonance. A sacred pact made under moonlight—through a ritual of touch, presence, and shared truth."
"Then it's time," Arslan whispered.
That Night
He gathered them by the lake. The moon was full, casting silver light on the water's surface.
He extended his hand to each of them, one by one.
"I can't promise you the world," he said. "But I can promise you me. I'll protect you. Laugh with you. Cry with you. If you'll have me… let's become stronger. Together."
Each of them took his hand in turn—Erza, Kagura, Lucy, Orihime, and Rangiku. Their eyes shimmered with more than magic. It was love, faith, and something divine.
A soft light engulfed them—gentle, golden, warm.
Their souls pulsed in unison, and for the first time since their summoning… a status window appeared in Arslan's view.
[SOUL-BOND COMPLETE]
Goddess Erza – Class Unlocked: War Valkyrie
Goddess Kagura – Class Unlocked: Lunar Sentinel
Goddess Lucy – Class Unlocked: Celestial Summoner
Goddess Orihime – Class Unlocked: Light Warden
Goddess Rangiku – Class Unlocked: Phantom Bloom
All combat stats unlocked. Original memories… pending.
The Reaper's and Prince Prophecy
Six months had passed since the goddesses regained their powers and memories. Yet despite remembering who they were—once divine champions of light, guardians of balance—they chose to stay with Arslan.
They stood together under the moonlight, their divine auras burning faintly behind their mortal forms.
"Why do you stay?" Arslan asked one evening, heart in his throat. "You've regained your powers. Your memories. You're free. I wouldn't hold it against you if you returned to the heavens."
Erza stepped forward first, her red hair shining like fire under starlight.
"Because no heaven could compare to the man who taught me kindness when I was weak. You didn't just protect me, Arslan—you saw me when I was blind to myself. I'm yours… when you're grown enough to take me."
She gave him a knowing smirk.
Kagura followed, serene and sharp-eyed.
"I remember now… I was a lunar sentinel who watched over nations. But no king or god ever offered me peace the way you did, Arslan. You gave me a reason to fight—not as a weapon, but as a woman."
Her voice dropped into a whisper.
"One day, when the moon is high, come claim me. I'll be waiting."
Lucy, ever playful, gently poked his forehead.
"You talk like you're the only one changing. We're growing, too. Stronger… and closer to you. We're not just waiting, Arslan—we're preparing for the moment you become the man we already believe in."
She winked.
"And yes, you can absolutely have me for dinner when you're ready."
Orihime looked away shyly, her voice soft but unwavering.
"I never thought I'd find someone who would teach me how to feel again. Not as a goddess, but as… me. Thank you for letting me love you."
Rangiku chuckled, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
"Let's just say, when the time comes, you'd better have a bed big enough for all of us."
They all laughed together, the tension eased—until the ground trembled with the sound of boots and crude laughter.
From the trees emerged a band of over a hundred men, armed and ravenous-eyed. They surrounded the clearing, licking their lips, eyeing the goddesses like property.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" sneered the leader. "Some wild beauties and a little brat. Run home, kid—we've got business with these ladies."
Arslan didn't flinch. He stood calmly, smiling, almost amused.
"You poor fools."
He cracked his knuckles.
"You really don't know who you're dealing with. Actually… this might be fun."
He turned to his goddesses.
"Erza. Kagura. Lucy. Orihime. Rangiku. You've trained hard. This is your test. Use your powers. Make it quick. But leave one of them alive."
Erza's eyes gleamed.
"With pleasure, my king."
Kagura summoned a crescent-shaped blade of moonlight.
Lucy whispered to the stars, and a massive celestial spirit took form behind her.
Orihime raised a shield of light and cut it forward like a sword.
Rangiku vanished into petals of shadow and struck like a phantom.
The bandits never stood a chance. Magic and fury danced across the clearing. Screams and chaos echoed for minutes—until silence fell again. Only one bandit remained, left alive on purpose.
"Go," Arslan said. "Lead us to your nest."
Beneath the Chains
The goddesses followed the bandit to a ravine stronghold—hidden beneath the roots of the mountain.
Inside, they found horror.
Women chained, broken, stripped of their names and hope. Bruises bloomed across their skin. Some were too weak to speak.
Arslan's expression was unreadable, but his rage simmered. He said nothing—but his fists clenched until blood ran between his fingers.
The goddesses snapped.
Erza incinerated the gates.
Kagura turned steel walls to dust.
Orihime healed those they could save.
Rangiku whispered a curse that turned the remaining bandits into ash.
Lucy freed the prisoners and gave them clothes from Arslan's inventory.
They gathered around him afterward. Arslan knelt before one of the women—a girl no older than he was—who trembled as he placed a blanket over her shoulders.
"You're free now," he said softly. "No one will hurt you again."
The Reaper Rises
That night, under the light of burning torches, Arslan stood on a hill overlooking the ruined bandit camp.
"I've made up my mind," he said. "This world is broken. Kings, nobles, and monsters let this happen. But not me."
He turned to the goddesses.
"This world needs a new order. A king not chosen by blood, but by will. I will become that king. I will become the law."
They each nodded in turn.
"We believe in you, Arslan," said Orihime, "Not as a ruler, but as the hope this world lost long ago."
The Prophecy of the Reaper and Prince
"Now that you've regained your power," Arslan continued, "I have a mission for each of you."
He summoned five porcelain masks from his inventory—each designed uniquely for the goddess it was meant for.
"Wear these. Hide your divine faces. Travel the world. Spread the rumor of a prophecy—that a young prince will one day unify the world under one law. That his word will reshape empires."
"And say this: those who defy him will meet his right hand—the Reaper. Any who see the Reaper… will know death is near."
He handed them a massive leather-bound book filled with names, locations, crimes: slave traders, corrupt nobles, bandit kings, drug dealers, human traffickers, assassins, and warmongers.
"Kill them all. Use the name of the Reaper. Let survivors carry the warning for us."
"Use criminals, barkeeps, and spies to spread the story. Let them whisper the prophecy to every ear. Then, once they've served their purpose—dispose of them."
He stepped forward, placing a hand over Erza's heart.
"But be safe. Return to me every six months. Keep training. And never forget why we do this—not for revenge… but for peace."
The goddesses each placed a hand over their hearts.
Goddess Personalities in Depth:
Erza Scarlet – The Crimson Blade
Strong, noble, and fiery.
Feels personally responsible for protecting Arslan's ideal world.
"The sword I carry now is no longer for war… it's for justice. For you."
Kagura Mikazuchi – The Moon's Shadow
Calm, deadly, meditative.
Speaks rarely, but means every word.
"The world I see through moonlight is clearer now. Your dream… is worth killing for."
Lucy Heartfilia – The Starcaller
Bright, clever, emotionally open.
Loves romance and stories, deeply idealistic.
"I'll write a new legend… about a boy who became a god because he refused to be one."
Orihime Inoue – The Light's Mercy
Compassionate, soulful, gentle.
Battles cruelty with healing and peace, until pushed too far.
"For every life I save, I'll end a monster that took ten. I carry both the sword and the salve."
Rangiku Matsumoto – The Phantom Bloom
Flirtatious, deceptive, and unpredictable.
Laughs in the face of death, but hides deep scars.
"I used to fight for pleasure. Now I fight to make the world a place where no girl ends up in chains again."