Read Heroes Redemption - The Kingdom of Feris :: Chapter 1 : The Emergence Of A Chosen One

"Another sunny day ahead! Make the most of your weekend!"

Sitting on my windowsill, my drowsy gaze wandered to the totally dark sky. As far as I could see, not a single ray of sunlight had yet penetrated the polluted cloud that hung over the city. My radio was still blathering the same rubbish of lies over and over again. The goal of these presenters is to give the image that we are happy via our holo-programs in order to hide from reality.

Technical progress has reached its peak in recent decades. Always wanting to do more and living in a world dictated by new technology, we are literally dependent of them today.

How far can we go to imitate our reality? I took one last look at the landscape from my window. Dozens and dozens of dark buildings blocked my field of vision, all powered by the same energy pipes. The city lights played bright colours with each other, the only source of light in the overcast conditions.

The aerial metro passed right by my flat, a shrill thud made my ears ring.

— "Aaargh, I really have to move out!" I growled through gritted teeth.

Slowly, I left the window and headed to my desk. The date of my next exams was approaching fast and the hours of revision seemed interminable. I sat down to go over my notes again. Using my index finger, I scanned the pages on my screen to find the subject I needed to revise.

"You have a new message! You have a new message!"

A hologram in the shape of an envelope flashed before my eyes and alerted me to the fact that I'd just received an email. With a wave of my finger, I went to my inbox and opened it to read its content.

"Your reimbursement for your prostheses is coming to an end, the remaining sum to be paid is 375,000 yen. Please find…"

I closed the message as soon as I'd understood what it was about. I'd deal with all that later. If only I could just disappear and leave all this shit behind. I never had that kind of money at my disposal, so how am I supposed to pay it all back?

I sighed heavily, burying my face in my hands. If I join this school, I'll probably be able to pay that bill. I've got to, there is no other choice...

"You have a new message! You have a new message!"

I looked up at this new notification. It was rather strange because it didn't contain any subject and the recipient's details were scrambled. I pressed the envelope warily and it opened instantly. The whole text was made up of black bands that prevented me from reading the message. Only a few words were legible.

— "Feris... needs you…"

As soon as these words escaped my mouth, a blackish substance burst from my screen and enveloped every part of my body. It surrounded me like a cocoon, I couldn't move and I was running out of air. I tried as hard as I could to struggle but it was no use. What was happening? I couldn't think any more, my thoughts were leaving me. I was gradually sinking into this infinite, dark mass.

Several voices echoed around me. Still stunned by what had just happened, I slowly opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was this blinding light. I instinctively covered my eyes. The second sensation I felt was the icy cold against my skin. The marble floor I was lying on made me shiver. It took a while for my eyes to adjust to the half-light surrounding me. Finally, the last event that paralysed me this time was the group of people in tunics arranged in a circle around me.

As soon as I laid eyes on them, a dead calm was created, and they didn't dare say another word. I remained on my guard and tried to move as little as possible. This brief moment allowed me to visualise the room in which I was being held. Judging by the layout of these people, I suppose I was in the heart of a circular room. The only source of light came from the glass dome above me. I couldn't see any way out and panic was gradually taking over my body.

I don't know anything about them. Are they enemies? Do they want to hurt me?

— "Who are you? What am I doing here?"

No answer, I giggled nervously. It's obvious, why would they answer me? How did I end up here? It all happened after this gloomy substance got hold of me. There's no logical explanation, everything that's happening is unreal. I was in my room just a few minutes ago!

Suddenly, doors burst open. A silhouette entered, its footsteps echoing in the room as it approached me. It was an imposing builded man. He made his way through the crowd, who bowed as he entered.

The man turned from darkness to light and proudly revealed himself to me. A large, puffy cape covered his shoulders. A glittering crown topped his grey hair swept back. His smile, so wide that it crossed his entire face, sent a chill down my spine.

— "Welcome to Feris, young hero."

His deep, resonant voice was the first thing I'd heard clearly since I'd been here. The man greeted me respectfully and the rest of the crowd mimicked his gesture. I suppose they are his disciples. In any case, this person has power and he just called me a hero. What's he trying to say?

— "Where am I?"

— "Rosefield, royal capital of the kingdom of Feris."

He answered me without any hesitation, but it didn't give me more direction than that. He cleared his throat at my lack of understanding.

— "Excuse me, I forgot to introduce myself. I am King Rosade, it is a pleasure to meet you."

He offered me his hand. It was with a lot of hesitation that I accepted this exchange.

— "Suzumoto. Keiji Suzumoto."

A satisfied smile spread across his face as he crushed my fingers.

— "Please follow me. We will give you a tour of the castle before explaining your role within the kingdom." he said as he headed for the exit.

A king and his kingdom? No, that's impossible, none of that exists. This is not my era, everything is totally different. I refuse to follow this stranger without further explanation.

— "Wait a minute, can you just tell me what I'm doing here?"

He turned round, surprised by my question, then laughed as he looked at all the people in the room with us.

— "You are here to save us and remove the threat to our world, of course."

It's absurd, I'm not the protagonist of a video game. We're not in a fantasy world, none of this exists. It's just a stupid simulation and I was transported there via this email when I opened it. None of this is real, it's not reality.

— "Ah, haha yeah that's a very well thought-out programme. I have to say that you've almost got me, the details are impressive."

This king arched one of his eyebrows as he listened to me speak.

— "A programme? I think you are mistaken."

He turned towards the large doors and motioned for someone to enter. A man dressed in armour joined us and greeted his majesty. The king whispered something in his ear, forcing this new guest to move towards me, his hand on the pommel of his sword. He had just received an order from his superior and was getting dangerously close. His menacing gaze froze me in place.

— "Hey! What are you doing?"

His arrival forced me to step back, my heartbeat quickening. I staggered until I hit a pillar. I kept staring at him, completely frightened by this man. Then he stopped a few metres away and drew his weapon. His blade traced a circular path and came to rest right in front of me. The tip of the sword came into contact with my skin and grazed it. It was quick but slightly painful, and beads of blood began to drip from my neck. My breath was short, my legs were shaking and soon they gave out. I fell to the ground, breathing unevenly and forcibly. I kept pressing my hand against my neck, drops of blood dripping from between my knuckles and crashing against the tiles.

I didn't dare raise my head to face them, footsteps seemed to be slowly approaching. The king crouched down in front of me, the same condescending smile was still on his face. With a deep voice, he told me the following.

— "See, the fear, the pain, your blood, it is all real. This world is not fictional..."

He flicked me on the forehead and I shivered.

— "...It is all real."

His words were still echoing in my head as he got to his feet.

— "Now follow me! We have work to do!"

He gestured to me to get up and follow him. One of the people in a toga approached him.

— "Your Majesty, it would be better to dress him appropriately."

— "Yes, of course! What was I thinking? In that case, please follow the magicians."

He left the room, leaving me in the company of this group of mages. Two of them helped me to get back on my feet and accompanied me to the exit.

I was still in shock and tetanised by what had just happened. The sensation of that blade splitting my skin open like a leaf had just taken hold in my body. I have no idea what this world is but one thing's for sure: I can't trust this king.