I found myself standing in an enormous hall. Stained glass panes stretched across the entire wall, covered with intricate depictions of myths of gods and ancient heroes. The floor was lined with polished quartz tiles, divided by a red carpet and which ran across the room and led to a dais. Upon that dais, a man sat with a golden crown upon his head.
I was inside a king's chamber.
"It succeeded! Our summoning spell actually worked!"
My eyes were drawn to the sound of the voice. Directly before the throne dais, a circle of people stood with long robes and staffs in their hands. My classmates stood dazed in the middle of the circle, their school uniforms appearing odd in contrast to the attire of the circle.
"Where…where in the world are?" A girl spoke, the distress evident in her eyes. "We were just in class and now…"
The classmates joined her in her confusion.
"Yeah…what the hell-"
"Silence heroes!"
My classmates went silent. I tilted my head to the side to find the king, a robust and hard-faced man, out of his seat.
Wait?
I tilted my head…to the side?
Why am I not standing with the rest of the students in front of the throne?
"I understand that you are confused, but I assure you by the will of the Goddess, that I will answer all questions in due time."
My head was rolling with questions as I watched the king take his seat.
Why was I standing beside the king? I should be with my fellow students, right?
And where in God's great world were we?
"I will introduce myself first. I am King Kalanthius, Thirty-Ninth Ruler of Durham Kingdom, the Wielder of the Goddess' Light."
Durham Kingdom? I don't recognize that name from anytime in history.
"Our kingdom was once a beacon of light and order for the entire world. The just once spoke the name of Durham with pride, and the evil cowered from it. But those days are long gone. Despite our efforts, the Demon King's Army continue to approach us the East. Our people. No. Humanity is now in grave danger from the tyranny of the Demon King."
"The Demon King?" A boy in confusion. "What the-"
"Once again, I will answer all questions in due time." The king interrupted calmly before continuing his explanation. "Now, seeing our demise nearing us, we turned our eyes to an ancient prophecy in the Draconic Tongue, writing that at our world's greatest time of need, we must call on help from heroes from another world, and they will be our only chance for humanity's survival."
My eyes widened in shock.
"You are those heroes from another world."
We were summoned to another world. A world with magic.
"You have been blessed with power of the Goddess to vanquish the Demon King." The king said exuberantly. "Under the guidance of Durham Kingdom, you will restore peace to this torn world."
Silence filled the hall as the King finally went silent. Despite knowing why and how I got here, I was still extremely confused.
Why am I standing next to the king?
The answer came to me as I glanced down my feet. My jaw dropped. I wasn't wearing my school uniform. In fact, I wasn't even the same person. I felt much taller than before, my muscles much more defined. Regal clothes made of expensive linen now covered me and a sigil of a shield was pinned on my left breast.
I was no longer in the body of Emmett Rollins.
No!
I had taken over someone else's body!
"Are there any questions you would like to ask heroes?" The king asked with pomp, his stone-cold blue eyes directing his question towards the students. "It would be my honor as a servant of the Goddess to answer whatever you may ask."
I flicked my eyes back towards the King. I had an urge to ask why I was in this body, but I resisted it. I had a feeling that my transmigration wasn't intentional. Something didn't make sense here.
"I actually do have a question." My heart sunk as I heard that arrogant voice. Henry Smith. He here too.
"Saving your world and all sounds great, but why should I put my life on the line for a world I only discovered a minute ago? Doesn't that seem a bit…reckless?"
The king silently stared at Henry for a few moments.
"I have no time to unravel your words. State your question clearly, hero."
Henry chuckled.
"Of course, my king." He said with a hint of mockery. "Here is my question then."
"What's in it for me?"
Gasps arose from the crowd beside the King. Even the King, who had remained expressionless this entire time, was shocked.
"How audacious!" The King responded, a faint smile creeping up his face. "If you are so bold, then let me ask you a question back at you hero! What do you want after you defeat the Demon King?"
A grin cracked Henry's face.
"Anything. Wealth. Power. Reputation. I want all of these things."
The King's slight smile grew slowly as he listened to Henry's request.
"How fascinating! Don't you ever want to return to your world, hero?"
"I guess eventually. But that all depends on what I'm offered…my king."
I gulped. To think Henry would choose rewards over returning to Earth. It was ridiculous. I couldn't imagine making that decision. While I certainly didn't feel it now, I knew that I would want to see my family again. My parents, diligently working at their diner in New York City. My little brother, his young face always beaming with energy and love.
I knew that one day, if I stayed in this world for too long, I would do anything to see my family again.
"Alright Henry…I think you're negotiating is over for now." A pretty girl with long blonde hair and beautifully rounded face spoke up, her voice screaming with sass. I recognized her immediately. It was Greenfield Academy's idol: Isabella Conley.
"Yo King…I know we're supposed to be 'heroes' and all but I don't think I'll fare so well against this 'Demon King' if I fought him right now. I'm assuming that you're gonna hafta train us, right?"
The King nodded.
"You are correct. As heroes that are blessed by the Goddess, the speed at which you learn magic and fighting should be exponentially faster than a normal person. That said, I have prepared my own sons to aid you in your training."
The King suddenly gestured to the man directly to the right of him, a lean young man with straightly brushed dark brown hair. His face was stone, showing no expression.
"Arlo Kalanthius, First Prince, the Future Ruler of Durham Kingdom. He will you assist your learning in our language and teach you military tactics and strategy."
The King then moved on the next person in line. He was a polar opposite to the First Prince with a stocky, muscular build and wavy blonde hair. A tinge of arrogance and pride was visible on his face.
"Darius Kalanthius, Second Prince, Incumbent Warrior of Durham Kingdom. He will teach you any weapon suited to the preference and help you master it."
The King moved on once again down the line. But it was different this time.
This time, the King was gesturing towards me.
"Hermes Kalanthius, Third Prince, the Future Protector of Durham Kingdom."
I shuddered as I heard the King's voice. He wasn't praising me like the other two sons. He was patronizing me.
"His role…is different…than the other two. He won't be teaching you anything."
My breathing stopped.
"Instead, he will be your eternal bodyguard. In simpler terms, he has sworn to do anything in order to protect you heroes."
"Even if it means sacrificing his own life."