“Malia!” another voice cried out. A male voice.

“That was James…” Chloe said, eyes still wide. “I’ve got to get Jes.” She turned away and darted off into another section of the town. I was tempted to call out to her, but my voice wouldn’t work.

I briefly wondered what an inspector was, but then I remembered the scream. It sounded like it came from a young girl.

I noticed a pitchfork leaning against the side of a fence to my right. I leaned over and grabbed it before running towards the sound of the scream. I exited the cluster of buildings and came to the outskirts of the town, where the wood met the clearing. Then I stopped and stared.

A giant beast was pawing against the side of a tree. It had a snaky green tail with scales and spikes near the end. The rest of its body was covered in multicolored fur, except for its two front feet that were shaped like black raptor claws. It had two pairs of ripped, blue, leathery wings, a wolf-like snout, and six, beady red eyes. It was a picture from a nightmare.

“Malia!” I noticed for the first time a young man being held back by Kato to my left.

“There’s nothing you can do! You’ll just get yourself killed, James! Stop!”

Fear was knotting in my stomach. Then another scream rang out, coming from the tree.

A young girl was about to be killed. I couldn’t just watch that happen.

I grasped my pitchfork and stepped forward, until I was just four yards away from the beast.

“Aradetta, no! That’s a Willowbeast!”

I turned to see Chloe behind me, with another man. I turned back to the monster.

“Hey!” I yelled, raising my pitchfork. “I’m a little bigger than her, don’t you think?”

The beast turned its body towards me. I gulped at its size. It was the size of seven horses put together, and could probably bite one in half.

It could eat me whole and I would never see it coming.

It dropped to all fours and growled at me. The scent of rotten flesh washed over me. I was pretty sure I had just signed my death warrant.

Then overwhelming peace came over me. Hope pushed itself through me. I felt everything grow a bit warmer. There was a momentary flash of light.

My clothes suddenly felt heavier. My vision was tinged with the same color purple my eyes had turned not too long ago.

I looked at my pitchfork, only, it wasn’t a pitchfork anymore.

It was a sword.

The blade seemed to be made of silver, as did the hilt I was holding. Imbedded into the top of the hilt was a round purple gem that glowed with power. A short glance downward showed me that I wore armor. It was also silver, and I had a form fitted purple shirt underneath. I had silver boots to match. It all radiated a strange aura.

I turned my attention back to the beast. Its gaze was only focused on me, now. Its attention would not be diverted to other beings. I raised my sword and charged.

The moment quickly passed by. When I turned around the beast had collapsed, its head no longer attached to its body. Everyone in the area was staring. Not at the beast, but at me. The few people I recognized had their mouths open in shock.

The energy drained away, leaving a normal pitchfork and my original clothes. My vision turned to normal. The only thing that was different was a necklace laying on the ground, with a silver chain and a purple gem. I picked it up and fastened it around my neck.

My breath sped up in a panic. I couldn’t organize my thoughts. It felt as if my chest was collapsing in on itself. I wanted to ask myself why this was happening, but I didn’t know the answer. Why was I here in this world and not dead, why hadn’t I just died attacking the monster, why did I attack the monster, and what did I become?

I sat down on the ground hard, breathing heavy. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the girl hop out of the tree and walk hesitantly towards me.

“Are you okay?” her soft, nervous voice asked. Her hand was rising slightly, as if she wanted to touch my shoulder and comfort me, but wasn’t sure what I would do.

A commotion began somewhere to my right, towards the village.

“My Lord, no, we don’t know--”

“Kato, I am more experienced than you might think, despite my seemingly soft life. I can take care of myself.”

“Shouldn’t you wait for a guard?”

“You used to be one of my best. Why don’t you accompany me, if you feel so uncomfortable.”

I turned towards the noise and saw an older, well dressed man walking towards me.

“Hello, ma’am. May I ask your name?”

His soft eyes were kind, but sharp. I could tell his knowledge and experience was far greater than mine. Strangely, despite his frail appearance, I knew he was strong. Also, though I had no idea in the slightest what was happening, his company comforted me.

He held out his hand. Kato, who had walked up behind him about three feet away, tensed.

I grabbed the man’s hand and he helped me up. I brushed the dirt off of my legs. My breathing was calmer now. Something about this man set me at ease, and I no longer felt a need to panic.

“My name…” I hesitated. I actually wanted to tell him the truth, but not in front of the girl, Malia, Kato, Chloe, and the others that had gathered.

“Could we possibly talk in private?” I say in a low voice, my eyes glancing at the many eyes staring at me.

The man smiled. “Of course.” He grabbed my arm and started leading me back towards the village. “Everyone, please go back to your usual business. As soon as I understand what is going on, and as long as this young lady feels inclined to share, we will have a village counsel.”

He led me towards a larger building at the edge of the village, near the ocean and the guard station. “I am Lord Orus. This is my home. ” We entered the building and we walked into a room with a larger table and three chairs around it. Orus let go of my arm and pulled one of the chairs out. “Please sit.”

I did. He walked around to the other side of the table. He pulled a chair out, but he did not lower himself into it. Instead he stood in front of me, studying me.

“You are not from this world,” he says matter of factly, “in fact, you are of royal descent and from the kingdom of Ridalia.”

My mouth dropped open. “How--”

He held his hands up, shushing me. “I know this because the last royal guardian of the Purple Hope was also a royal of Ridalia. Unfortunately, she died fighting for… a worthy cause that I may enlighten you to. However, I am not sure whether or not your thoughts have been tainted by Deception.”

“Tainted by deception? What does that even mean? What are you talking about?” I ask immediately. My mind was just becoming more muddled by his ramblings.

Orus reached inside of his vest, bringing out a golden chain and a green gem, quite similar to the one I wore around my neck.

I looked at him curiously. “You said I was a royal guardian of the Purple Hope. What does that mean? Who are you?”

“I am the royal guardian of the Green Calm. Not quite as eccentric as your title, but it has its benefits.” He says, placing the gem on the table in front of himself. “Long ago, this world fell into disrepair. Wars, fire, and disaster raged across the world. A great sorceress, whose name is now long forgotten, created a spell. It wove throughout the never ending universe, finding five royal families from other worlds to take on the titles of Calm, Happiness, Innocence, Love, and Hope. She decided also to keep the balance she also needed some qualities generally associated with bad: Deception, Despair, Rage, Berserk, and Pride. She assigned ten different colored gems to these qualities, and sent portals to pick each royal up and bring them here when needed. When one dies, eventually another from their same line will be brought to the world.”

I gaped at him. What he said made sense, strangely, but I didn’t know what to make of it.

“How did that work, then. Does the portal only bring me when it has a chance, or just randomly?”

“It is usually random. We have no idea when the next royal guardian will show up after the previous dies. Your predecessor died ten years ago. We weren’t sure if Hope was ever going to appear again.”

My brow drew together in confusion. “But… why me? Why now?”

He stared into my eyes, as if piecing something together. “What is your world like now?”

I shifted in my seat, casting my eyes down. “Terrible. I always dreaded going into power. There is always something bad happening. Wars, slaves, murder, corruption, poverty…” I looked up sadly. “The list could go on and on. Most people are selfish and only care for themselves.”

“What were you feeling when you were transported here?”

My eyes widened in realization. “Something I haven’t felt in a while, since I was young. I thought I was finally going to escape my life. I felt hope.”

Orus nodded and smiled. “That makes more sense. You can only be transported when you feel the quality you are being put in charge of.”

I fingered the gem around my neck. “What… what do I do now?”

Orus walked towards a widow to our left and looked out, hands behind his back. “You are a good person, I can tell.” He paused and I could hear a soft intake of breath. “You are new and young. I remember how I felt when I was first transported here. I was alone, afraid, and gullible. My powers did not arise as quickly as yours, and I was unable to defend myself.”

Again he paused. I did not want to break the silence, fearing that I would be able to feel my heart start beating too quickly again.

“You could be my heir. Though we have no physical resemblance, adoption is not uncommon for Lords of small villages like this. I would be able to teach and train you, both in the ways of this world and of magic and fighting skills.” Orus turns back to me, concern on his face.

“My one worry is that Shaina will try to get to you. Last I heard she was visiting Ritreno, which isn’t too near, but she makes her rounds.”

I frown. “Who is she? This Shaina person you seem so afraid of?”

The look on Orus’s face showed me that I didn’t really want to know. However, he spoke. “She was the third of her line to come here. I am the thirtieth of mine.”

My mouth dropped open. “How could she do that?”

“She was already skilled in magic in her homeworld, and when she came here she discovered she had gained more power. She learned the ways of witches and whisperers in this land, further gaining strength. She learned that funneling power into her heart and staying in her power form would keep her alive far longer than she should be able to. That is only because of the power of her homeworld, and no one else can do it.

However, she took a liking to one of the other royals. Not romantically, but because he was so gullible and loyal to her. She managed to create a spell that did the same thing for him as it does to her. They are basically an immortal duo, with the undying support of most of the county. They are considered Gods, and worshiped. She’s had hundreds of years to perfect her work, and makes sure she is never forgotten nor disrespected. She is a formidable enemy, one I have been fighting against for years.”

I looked at him, sudden doubts creeping into my mind. “How do I know you’re not on her side, or that you’re really the bad guy and are lying to me?”

He replied with a sad but comforting smile. “I guess you don’t. You’ll have to figure that out for yourself. So, what about my offer, do you accept?”

I laced my hands together and stared at the gem on my chest. “I don’t really have many options. This seems like my only chance.” Determination brought my gaze back up, and I stared at Orus with renewed Hope. “Teach me all you know, Lord Orus.”