I feel like Edriane and I will be good friends. Throughout the whole journey through her huge palace she told me stories of her childhood and her mother. I won’t put it past me the sinking feeling of jealousy that internally murdered me. She had such a happy time in the world and I… had a satisfactory time. Sure, I would’ve preferred not to be an orphan and raised by an aunt that was only 10 years older than me. Although not technically being an orphan because I only had a deadbeat literally dead father and a clinically insane mother, but still having a family… a complete one would’ve been fun. 

I never had many friends growing up. I was avoided by most children because I seemed to have a certain smell that no matter how much Aunt Amettie scrubbed it wouldn’t come off. Most of my memories are of Aunt Amettie trying to figure out what to do with me and herself, the neighbour always cursing Saint Anthony out and the creepy suited neighbour with the dead garden. I liked that neighbour though. He was my only friend in childhood. But he always went for business trips at weird times in the night. I could hear him leave and come back even in my sleep. I remember always barging into his house and Aunt Amettie had to drag me out to not invade his space. She was always apologetic to him and practically whisper-yelled in my ear to not stay close with that creep. I never listened. He always let me stay for as long as I wanted until one day he urged me out. That day held significance because it became the day I made friends in the neighbourhood and in school. Since then my playmates and I referred to him as the creepy suit guy because he only let certain people in. I was one of those people aside from a guy that always looks severely sleep deprived and bored of the world.

Now that I think about it he is creepy. Why was I his favourite? And what happened to the other kid?

“Are you ready?” she suddenly spoke.

No. “Yes. I am as ready as can ever be.” That’s a lie. No I’m not.

The doors opened and a strong voice announced her arrival. Before they shut, she gives me a small smile of encouragement. I appreciate it. Although I’d much prefer her standing here and holding my hand for emotional support. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s not like I’m standing for trial or performing in my 8th grade talent show again. I am never showcasing magic tricks again. The bunny bit me. It got stewed.

“.....WHO WILL SAVE US ALL!” OH SHIT I’M UP.

The doors are wide open and light poured into the noticeably dimmer hallway, a crowded room with endless clapping and cheering and expectant gazes.

…

Why are they looking at me?

I want to leave. Maybe I’m not for this. Too many things are happening all at once. And I am not adaptable at the moment.

My feet do the opposite and I force a smile on my face, feeling my muscles expand and close around my eyes, as my heart replicates the antics of a drum. I feel the weight of my entire outfit, regardless of how much it hugged my body. It felt heavy, its weight unbearable for my mid sized frame.

I keep walking and walking and Uma who stands at the far side of the crowd is the one to stop me from making my way to a wall. I never noticed that she left me and Edriane’s side. I never noticed her coming in here. I’m not even entirely sure that it’s her. But she sports the signature teardrop earrings and she’s helping me. So it must be her.

I am stationed in front of a table where the 4 other apparent heroes sat and Priest Dottir Hassen Rubaine stands. I like her name. Dottir. I like her eyes better. Green like life, green like grass, green like jades.

“Welcome to Gemmas, Sir Hero. It is nice to see you again.” Dottir smiles, her soft and comforting voice making me want to sit by myself.

“Thank you for welcoming me into your humble land.” Humble land? I don’t think I’ve seen a speck of land since I got here but it felt appropriate to say so what am I to do about it?

Taryn chuckles to themself and hops onto their feet, pouring a glass of wine and raising a toast, “Humble land? You flatter them too much my friend, because how can Flaris be humble if they house the oh so great Saint Rubaine Crystallis Ember!” They praise and everyone cheers in response, in unison replies; “Praise the Saint Rubaine and may you guide us to glory!”

Their eyes shoot to me, what am I supposed to do? The air turned nauseating as the joy died down. Oh… I don’t like that. Please continue being happy.

“May she lead us to Glory?” I sounded too unsure but I don’t think they caught on to it. It seemed to be the right thing to say because they allowed life to breathe into me again.

“Before we begin, I thank you for your service. May you be blessed and guided by all our heroes and may you be victorious in battling our one true foe.”

“We are gathered here today, upon the will and the blessing of Saint Ru…” Oh, it's a speech. I do not like speeches. Wait… She’s a priest so this is a sermon… Doesn’t change a thing, I still hate it.  They take too long and are too inspiring for me that they sound ridiculous when I think about them. I think it’s going to be a long one. It’s going to be disrespectful to not listen… Maybe I should listen.

“...the first of 38 testaments….” Yeah I’m going to turn my listening ears off for this. But on that note can somebody give me a chair? I know that everybody else is standing all except for the 4 heroes but am I not a hero? Do I not have chair privileges? This… whatever I’m wearing carries weight and I don’t lift. Or do any physical activity aside from walking, standing and running. My stamina has not worked up for this yet.

.

.

.

This is dragging on for far too long. I would rather face a death drop than this. Take me back to the caves. It was quiet there. I could do without the weird birdman, he still gives me the creeps. Although this place has more things you can look at. Aside from rocks.

Rocks. Mossy rock. Chipped rock. Smooth rock. Black rock. Even blacker rock. Ooh a white rock. Oh no… It’s a quartz. Or maybe it’s just glass. Why would there be glass in a rocky terrain? Is it rocky terrain? What exactly is rocky terrain again? Rocks and a train?

They really like gold in here… and marble. So here they have… shiny rocks. Shaped rocks.

Marble floors, a light source of a chandelier and numerous other torches propped up high. At the high domed ceilings with more marble and paintings… very intricate ones of the same fiery red haired woman and a blonde gold guy who I assume is her husband because the way he’s holding her is not indicative of just friends. Hmm… Now that I look at it, her response is not very friends-like either… Why is there no other colour than red, yellow and skinto-OH THEY’RE NAKED.

I feel like I reverted back to 12 years old and saw a drunk Aunt Amettie getting it on with a random dude on our couch when I woke up to refill my trail mix after watching a scary movie. I saw something I was not supposed to see. Well… I didn’t really see a thing the first time, all I saw were silhouettes but because I just watched the first Scream movie my thoughts were there was a serial killer in our house. So I screamed bloody murder. That sobered Aunt Amettie up and that was the first time I ever saw breasts and an erect penis. Due to that I have concluded that I do not like breasts. Why do they jump in different directions? And why was it standing like that? Why??? Does mine stand like that?

I cried all night thinking some random guy was going to stab my one guardian in the world. Years after that traumatic event I realised it was not a knife that was going to spear through my aunt. It took me far too long and far too many naps on that couch to register the horrors of that night. I never watched scary movies again or left my trail mix in the cupboards. Or stayed up past 9. The two of us never spoke about it. I think she was too drunk to remember the terror she instilled in me. One thing’s for sure I never sat on that couch without my personal cushion again.

Of all things you can put in a ceiling that bored people eventually look up to, you put people having sex up there. Dear God. I am so sorry for looking, Saint Rubaine. That was not intentional. Take my eyes. If you wish to return them, bleach them first. Thank you.

My cheeks are burning from the shock, and my eyes threaten to pop out the socket. I probably look constipated.

I should look at something else.

This place was really decorated for a party huh. Tables set out in every corner of the room. Scrumptious, salivating meals out and about. Cups stacked filled with whatever they drink here. Maids and butlers running around tending to people.

People. People with tight fitted dresses, only Edriane is wearing poofy ones. Why is she wearing poofy ones? People with elaborate hairstyles and many hair ornaments. People with gems embedded in their arms, faces and hands, some have them in their legs. People with vibrant hair colours and most with matching eyes. People happily drinking and listening to whatever probably important things the Priest is saying.

Maybe I should listen now.

“Praise and thanks. Now to the days coming to her retrieval, the 12th testa-” Nope.

Floor… Marble and shiny. Smooth. Too smooth. I wonder how many people have slipped on this floor. This is a slip hazard. And very reflective. Don’t I look dashing?

My outfit contradicts it. But don’t I look dashing?

Doesn’t my face look exceptionally handsome? As always. And my hair… Oh. I don’t look good blonde. I should’ve chosen a more vibrant colour like everyone here. Gold is not for me.

Should I do pink like the priest? My rat’s nest is going to look like cotton candy by then.

That is far too sweet for my taste. What about a rainbow? Possible. Seems fun. Brown? Natural, cool but I don’t think I’ll like it very much.

How long has it been? Are they done?

Probably not. Maybe I should do other things. Wait… I have an itch… but where?

Phantom itches? I haven't lost a limb. Why would I have phantom itches

“HEY!” An angry guttural voice growled, I nearly disconnected from my soul and met with my creator. I snap back to my senses and see everyone’s eyes yet again on me and a frowning ginger head with an equally surprised and slightly scared circle around the table.

“You have one job. And it is to pay attention. Your lack of awareness will get you killed. How do you expect to save Gemmas if your head is so high up in the clouds?!” Ouch. 

“Arianne Cinder!” Edriane yelled from the crowd.

“Are you going to defend him? The fact of the matter is our situation is dire. We are having a Registry celebration when I just received news this Solrise that another town has been overtaken by famine! Our subjects are dead and dying, starving despite having enough. And we were visited by a chirping pest. Yet here we are, celebrating. Wasting our resources on a party. We are wasting time, sister this…This WHATEVER HE IS CANNOT AFFORD TO BE DISTRACTED WHEN LIVES ARE ON THE LINE!”

“I…I’m sorry.” I was snapped back to reality. I am here for a war not a party. I am here to fight. I am here because there is a threat. I am here for a reason.

Edriane’s face contorted to that familiar scowl. They really are sisters. Knitted brows, redden cheeks and fists curled. “I understand that. I care deeply for our subjects which is why I implore his help. So do not patronise him. He has a choice to not care and yet he had bothered to pray and stand before us, you-”

“W…WHY don’t we have a meal first? Or refreshments perhaps? To grasp clarity and enjoy this day more. Please… Cinder and… Princess Edriane, cease this fighting. We wouldn’t want to make our earthly guest uncomfortable. Because he has come here to save us all. So let us treat him well, yes? By the will of Saint Rubaine, our grace and glory.” Priest Rubaine interrupted, effectively erasing the stifling air to an extent.

“Right.” Angry Cinder says, dropping back onto her seat, massaging her temple.

The maids and butlers shuffle to prepare the meals and provide seats for everyone. Priest Rubaine and I were handed chairs at the same time, I sat across her as she was placed in between the 4 abundantly silent and slightly frustrated looking heroes.

Quickly, another awkward meal commenced. People around us chattered endlessly, even Edraine’s table made small talk. Mine is… hostile. Maybe it’s just my perception but it is incredibly hostile.

The meal ended as promptly as it started and people prepared for the moment I became part of their world, integrally. Uma ended up pulling me aside, giving me strict instructions yet again while fixing the other parts of my outfit that somehow became crooked from me moving so much. 

“Be excited Sir Hero. The moment Lustrous Julias recognises you is the moment your path of greatness is set. Glory that you’ll be able to bring to your world.”

I nod. “I will.”

She takes a breath and smiles at me. The first she ever did in front of me. “Thank you for coming to save our world.”

“Thank you for helping me prepare for it.” she seemed surprised that I replied, “Although next time I’d like a say on what I put on or do with my body.”

Uma chuckles and shakes her head. “That is something I cannot guarantee, Sir Hero.”

“Oh… well if you can get it done it’ll be much appreciated.”

“I shall try as you try.”

Not the most assuring but grateful anyway, I should thank her again.

“I love your earrings.” That was not a thank you but it had to be said. 

“Oh.” Uma fiddles with them and smiles some more. “They were my brother’s. It was the only thing I got to keep of him.” Keep of him? “Now… Sir Hero, it is time. Go. Go!”

She pushes me away and I stumble back to my original station and stand before everyone. God did the constantly changing ambience of this room give me an ulcer, I feel like I’m going to puke and embarrass myself.

“Are you ready Sir Hero?” Priest Dottir asks and ho, am I ready! That’s a bluff. Of course I’m not. But I am thrilled nonetheless.

“Don’t be too happy there friend. The minute we find out what you're affined to, we're going to beat you to bits in training.” Taryn jokes, earning a few laughs amongst the crowd. I chuckle in response to them. And the group steps back, leaving Priest Dottir and I to be face to face.

“I will step away, as they did. Because this is a process you will face alone. I wish you all the best, Sir Hero.”

“Thank you.”

“Open your palms and ask for the guidance of Saint Rubaine. We had read all 38 testaments of Flaris. She has opened her heart to you, in turn open your heart to hers. Praise and be guided with grace and glory. Saint Rubaine, HEAR US!”

I do just as I was told.

I’m excited about my status. Please be Versatile. And since I’m from another world, give me a few cheat skills, yeah?

As much as I want to save your world I also miss my earthly delicacies. The food here is uh… questionable. I don’t know what they’re made of. I also miss Aunt Amettie and actually doing things aside from sleeping and worrying about possible death and offending an entire country. So versatility and cheat skills, LJ!