Heroes and magic. Monsters and villains. Fantasy as a whole.
Those were what filled the books that I read. The stories I immersed myself in more than the reality I lived in.
Where only the cruel truth of life reared its ugly head, those stories more than made up for it.
The classic story of a hero from another world, to go slay the demon king that threatened the world; that's where it started. It only expanded from there.
Stories of the life of a villainess, mistreated heroes, misunderstood villains; tales that all modern-day fantasy beheld.
In both happy and sad; during tragedy and success, I always found time to go on those adventures. To travel alongside the hero's party and fight against the wicked villains. The idea romanticized in my mind.
Then college exams came. Adulthood came. Jobs, taxes, and the need to provide for me and my loved ones barged in on my life. Those ideal escapes of grand tales and exploration slowly faded as time passed, eventually turning into memories– a phase in my teenage years.
It should've been forgotten, and those times should've faded away. Yet, circumstances lead to reminiscing about my past more often.
"Sir, I'm sorry to inform you about this, but there is no easy way to say this-"
The memory replayed itself in my mind. I could feel the harsh feeling of dread crawl up my past self.
"You have 7 days left to live."
With that single sentence from the doctor, my life crumbled around me. To think, the life I had been cultivating for almost the past 2 decades, was being put to an end by some illness. An unknown one at that.
One day was wasted, simply wallowing away in grief. It was pathetic. Then the next 3 days were telling my relatives the news, and the ensuing crying sessions made up most of it. The last two days were all just spent soul-searching.
Now that my life was set to end soon, what was I supposed to do now? Hearing it left me aimless with nothing to do. There was no point in showing up at work anymore. The thought of making some money or leaving my own mark on this world, whether through legal or non-legal means, crossed my mind. It was immediately crossed off though, since what meaningful thing could I do with just a couple of days?
So for the 5th and 6th days of my last week, I simply traveled to and fro. Saving money for the long run meant nothing now, leading to me spending on hotel bills and travel fares with reckless abandon.
And it certainly was comforting, somewhat. Seeing sites and places that I previously had no time to admire. All that time was accompanied by my favorite music playlist. It was strangely calming for me, seeing the sun set over a vast spread of water leaving its image on my mind.
Traveling together with other tourists new to the place. Chatting and experiencing fun with people I didn't even know. A new experience, just casually interacting with strangers as if we'd been friends for years.
Heck, I even went out for drinks during one of the nights, insulting girls, and sharing life stories. It was dumb, but it was fun to let loose after a while.
So for those two days, I had at least experienced some things I would never forget.
Which now left today. The last day. Interestingly enough, I found myself surrounded by a wide array of literature. All of which was well-organized on bookshelves that spanned the entire establishment.
Spending my final moments in a library was the last thing I ever imagined. Of course, there was a reason for this.
"So it really did end…"
My voice came out soft and reminiscent as my eyes glossed over the book held in my hands.
'Tales of Manus: Survivors of the Lost'
The Tales of Manus; a short book series spanning 3 entries. It was set in the usual fantasy setting, with the usual villains, heroes, nobles, and the like. This was all about the kingdom of Manus, one of the many small kingdoms in its setting. The story showcased the trials of the nation and its inhabitants, with a main set of characters that played a key role in the kingdom's development. Especially during the war.
The last time I was invested in this book was when the 2nd installment was just released. I only ever had the opportunity to read the first few chapters, and it was just about the start of what would be an endless war in the series. Sadly, I never got to finish the second book, let alone get to the third one.
Well, that was why I was here.
A yawn escaped me, and I quickly glanced at the ticking clock hanging on the wall.
"11 pm already, huh? How long have I…?"
Had I been reading for that long? The three stacks of books to my side showed proof, and I only just realized now how long I'd been catching up on books.
"Wait, today's the last day, isn't it?" If so, then when was I going to eventually perish?
My mind noted that it was 11:58 pm, the clock slowly ticking as it was approaching midnight.
The thought stayed in my mind. When was I actually supposed to die? Was it 7 days exactly or just a rough estimate? I wasn't looking forward to it exactly, but I had long prepared myself for the moment.
As soon as the minute hand ticked closer to 12, I felt the effects of reading for countless hours long without break.
With another yawn, this time drawn out, I failed to resist the urge of laying my head down on the table. The monotonous sound of the clock's endless ticking didn't help either, it almost sounded like a lullaby.
Drowsiness began to take me, and with the thought of death having drifted from my mind, I fell asleep.
And the clock struck 12.
***
"Ugh…"
I couldn't help but let out a groan. My bed felt differently… textured than normal. My hand went to annoyingly grab my pillow, yet to find nothing. Feeling confused at the current lack of fluffiness, I forced myself awake.
"Holy shit!"
And absolutely shocked at my lack of a pillow and a proper bed. Also a lack of a proper ceiling. Oh, and did I forget to mention my lack of a proper room at all?
With my eyes as wide as saucers, I quickly took note of the fact that this was not my hotel room. The cold, dark, and decrepit room I was in could hardly be related to one.
Walls of rough stone, with only one small entrance seen to the side. If it weren't for the small amount of light passing peaking through, the place would have been pitch black.
Now, where I was sleeping was anything but a bed. More of a table than anything. Made of the same stone as the walls encompassing me, I sat on a table-like structure with a platform more than big enough for me to lie on. It was placed exactly in the middle of the room, which my strange mind noted and added to the already high "what the hell was going on" factor of the situation.
Panic slowly crept into my thought process. An unknown, dark, and shady location in some place that god knows where. This sounded like the start of a funny joke, but this was not funny at all. Was I kidnapped? Where am I? What was I supposed to do now!?!?
"Rob, stop it. Panicking won't do any good now."
I quickly convinced myself in any way that I could. It was true, panicking in this situation wouldn't do me any good.
Even if my heart was one step away from suffering a full-blown panic attack.
Gulping away the nerves, I had already assessed the situation. The situation was absolutely terrifying. Now I had to ask, why and how I was here.
'Where was I before all of this?'
Slowly, I began to recall the previous moments I experienced before all of this. My thoughts, now clearer than before, tried to remember. Remember it I did.
"I was going to die… I…"
I should be dead.
The realization hit me harder than I thought. My hands shook, and the panic I tried to suppress was threatening to come out.
Deep breaths, deep breaths.
"Haysss, life-shaking thoughts aside. I remember falling asleep in the library, then now I'm here."
The recollection didn't help that much. Although, I fell asleep at around midnight. Did that have something to do with it?
It was an interesting line of thought, but I knew it wouldn't lead anywhere. Better focus on the present.
"For a start, that means I should probably get out of here."
Sitting myself up with a satisfying pop to my back, I hopped off carefully and made my way to the source of light in the room. Checking around the room, there was nothing else I could note other than the dull, stone texture of the room.
Now in front of the doorway, I exited and was briefly blinded by the sudden presence of more light. Blinking away the dark spots in my vision, what greeted me only confirmed my fears. Yet those fears were overshadowed by something else.
"Woooooww…"
My jaw hung open at the now visible starry skies, showcasing the time of night. Normally, such a sight would be completely normal, yet the sparkling clarity of each star that shined high up in the sky was different. The absolute clearness of everything, where even the moon's usual glow enraptured me with its enhanced radiance.
It was natural, but it also felt unnatural. There were no skies like this on the polluted planet that is Earth. If there was a place like this, I would have known through the Internet.
I attempted to grasp any reasoning for this. Maybe I was in a dream? No, this felt too real for that. The cold, gentle breeze of wind touched my skin, distinct senses I could feel, see, and hear. Perhaps I was in a sort of afterlife? I was supposed to have died earlier, after all. However, deep in my mind, I knew that couldn't be true. I just knew.
"Then…"
The reason the skies were not as beautiful before this was due to light pollution. If the skies were like that now, then that meant the light pollution in this area was extremely reduced or damn near gone.
That would mean a whole other thing, and my mind refused to acknowledge that.
"Shit shit shit, shit!"
Quickly running through the stone enclosure, more and more of the outside was exposed. Stars were seen in the distance shown with the same differing light. The stark clear skies expanded as the stone walls lessened with my escape. I was beginning to make out more of my outside surroundings. Grass, trees, mountains, hills. Mother nature surrounded me, and my anxiety began to spike.
"No no no, no way…"
I continued to mumble as I stumbled through the last exit of this temple, now out of breath. I had to take a second to catch my breath, sneaking more glances around in the meantime.
As someone who has read more than their fair share of fantasy books, my mind was quick to come up with an insane conclusion. One that shouldn't make sense. It was impossible.
But the clear skies devoid of light pollution, some ancient stone structure I suddenly woke up in, nature surrounding me, and no signs of modern humanity in sight.
Although not 100% confirmed, my mind had already resigned itself to the likely situation. Something that would only happen in those generic light novels. I wasn't home anymore.
"I'm in another world."
Those were the last words I expected to seriously say.
***
"Well, I'm completely screwed."
Sometime after the following revelations, I found myself in the middle of nowhere. Walking around without a clear destination, my mind began to spiral downwards as the truth of the situation began to sink in.
Out in the wilderness without a sign of humanity nearby, most likely in a whole other world without anyone to call on. As someone who had zero survival skills, other than the ability to cook a few meals and tie some knots, I knew one thing.
I was completely screwed, and I was going to die soon.
The thought caused me to unconsciously hasten my steps. Unless I found some help or a source of water and food, then chances were I wouldn't survive a week.
"Grrrrroughhhh…"
The growling of my stomach didn't help either.
Sighing for the first of many times, I continued to trek onward with only my thoughts to keep me company.
This scenario of all things should be impossible. A part of my mind didn't even believe it. A small part of me wished that I was just kidnapped and put someplace out in the wild. Still a bad situation, but one that I could believe without throwing my mind for a loop.
The lack of light pollution threw that theory out the window. That and the lack of any pollution at all. The air I breathed was noticeably purer than whatever oxygen was present on Earth. The environment was unbothered by the usual effects of humans. Coupled with the lack of light pollution, this would take decades, if not centuries to achieve depending on if all humans suddenly decided to sacrifice their comfort.
Which I couldn't see anytime soon. So either I was in an entirely different world, or I was sent super far in the future or past. Which might as well count as a different world.
On the other hand, I knew that thinking about that was useless right now, considering I would probably die (again?) soon with my lack of anything. All I really had on me were my simple clothing. I clearly remembered having my phone and wallet before I ended up here, but they weren't anywhere on me when I checked.
"This just screams magic and fantasy." There was no other way to describe it.
Branches continued to snap as I ventured onward. My legs were starting to get sore after walking so long without rest. Taking a stop and setting myself on the grass, I wondered. How long had I been traveling anyways?
Gazing upwards, the answer would continue to elude me. The night sky was still as beautiful as I had first seen it. I could tell the moon had moved from its position, so at least I knew that amount of time passed. How much time, that was something I couldn't answer.
Hours passed by, and I could only think to myself while I continued to aimlessly wonder. My thoughts drifted to other things, like what was happening back home. It would take a week or so before my being missing would be reported. I didn't doubt that my family relatives wouldn't care for more than a week before moving on, and that was fine. My brothers were what concerned me.
"I hope they're doing well without me."
Ever since our parents passed away all those years ago, we only had each other to rely on. With me gone, I wasn't sure how well they would take it. I could only hope they didn't mourn for long.
Now remembering them, I only felt more saddened. I was someplace else without anyone with me. I was completely alone. The thought terrified me, and the desire to return back home hit me hard. Yet it was only hopeless to think of it now, I didn't even know where to start with getting back home. Before I could continue that line of thought, I shook my head and focused.
In the distance, hints of sunlight made pierced the horizon, signaling the sun's arrival.
"Holy… J-just how long have I been walking?"
Apparently too long, since I felt like collapsing on the spot. As someone who could boast of being somewhat physically fit, this sucked ten times more than leg day.
My lips were drying up, and my hunger was at an all-time high. I needed food and water, but the familiar feeling of drowsiness was starting to set in. Slowing my pace near a tree, I immediately took the most comfortable spot I could and laid down with my back against the trunk.
For the second time, with the uncertainty about the future, sleep overtook me.
***
"How perfect.."
"Remember dear, it's always important to smile."
"I look forward to working with you, the future saint- no, the future symbol of this very kingdom!"
Those were the words that she would hear every day. It was not always like that, though. Born to a family with nothing to their name, in a poor village far from the prosperous cities of Manus. As it should have been, her fate would have been to till the fields and tend to the livestock. Then she would inevitably get married and live the same life.
That is what it should have been, until that fateful day. On the third month of the year, after three moons have passed and three bells tolled. All children past 13 years of birth must gather at the altar, where a diviner sent by the Church would examine their roles given by the goddess, Lilith.
5 years ago, she too had to go through the process. Accompanied by the other children in her village, all of them (including her) approached the old man with wide-eyed anticipation. The dream of joining the kingdom's highest-ranked heroes was one that they all shared. Attaining a high-ranking role from the divination would all but guarantee it.
However, none of them were really expecting to get one, much less her.
"I-impossible, an epic role!"
The memory stayed vivid in her mind. The day it all changed. When the man revealed to all around her what was stated on her divination tablet.
[Epic] - Saint of the Arc
There, carved out in glowing purple, were the words that would forever change her life. All the children gasped out in awe, surrounding her and the priest with an uncontested excitement. The grown men and women who accompanied them all looked at her with envy, some with sad gazes she only now understood to be ones of pity. The knights who accompanied the priest simply gave her nods of approval, seemingly satisfied with another potential hero joining their ranks.
Her mother and father were mostly overjoyed, already making talks of a future filled with fortune.
She herself was filled with innocent happiness and determination. Finally, she would be able to live the dream and be a hero! Grand adventures awaited her, where she would be able to meet close comrades and companions, all the while fulfilling great deeds for her kingdom. That is what she thought back then.
Now, she wanted to laugh. Laugh at all the naive expectations her younger self had.
5 years had passed since she had moved to the city of Celestal along with her parents. Shouldered with countless expectations and future responsibilities, she was trained almost every day of the season. Her mother and father encouraged her, telling her how she had to excel for them. The numerous tutors and instructors taught her how to be perfect for the kingdom. The knights she trained with expected an outstanding performance. The citizens of the city viewed her as some sort of diety.
The role, Saint of the Arc, entailed being a model for all, in all aspects. To be perfect, in a sense.
That was what she tried to be since then, and that was all she was taught to be.
Yet, after all this time, being viewed by everyone as nothing but some sort of statue and unreachable goal, it was tiring for her.
Where was the grand journey she dreamed of? The heroic companions she would meet along the way? The deeds she would accomplish along the way?
Maybe it was too much to expect for now, yet there were other things that bothered her. She couldn't remember the last time she conversed casually with someone. Everyone seemed to distance themselves from her due to her status, isolating her in the process. Even her parents, whom she looked up to, were starting to show her a much different side to themselves. As if in exchange for the benefits of her blessing, she lost something else. Or maybe it revealed some things.
So she confronted them earlier this day, the weight of everything pushing her to do so. It led to an argument. The sight of the people who raised her, looking upon her with disappointment and greed. In the end, they threatened her and tried to guilt her
That was what lead her to now, running far from the streets of Celestal, into the cover of the night. With tear-filled eyes, she ran and ran, feeling herself break down by the second.
"H-how could they?"
The betrayal, from the closest people she thought she could trust. It hurt.
She continued to sprint further into the wilderness to the point where the city was but a speck in the distance. Her role provided her with many things, including boosted physical performance, allowing her to clear long distances in such a short time.
That helped. It helped her get away from it all, the source of her current troubles.
"Sniff, sniff."
Eventually, she came to a stop. She wiped her hands across her face, in a vain attempt to block out the tears. Something told her to stop this instant, that this was unbecoming of her. She was the saint, she was expected to only smile in the face of adversity.
But she was just a farm girl. A girl who came out from nowhere, unprepared to deal with the future. If she was simply going to crumble from this, then did she even deserve the role?
Did she even want it?
So it was there in the middle of nowhere that she cried. She what lead her to this point. The saint did so for hours until she slumbered. All alone, as always.
***
When she came to, the great sun had just started to rise, granting the world its presence. She got up with a tired yawn. Downtrodden with the memories of the night before, she sat back down on the grass.
With the display she showed, she felt too embarrassed to return back. What would they all think, seeing their saint crumbling from her perfect facade? Did her parents spread the word about what happened? She did not know what to do, and she could only ponder about it.
"Zzz…"
A loud snore caught her by surprise, and she jumped at the thought that someone had caught her there.
Quickly she erased the thought, recognizing it as someone napping. Turned to where she heard the noise, it seemed to be by a tree quite a distance away from her. If it weren't for her [Epic] role boosting her physical parameters, she's sure that she wouldn't have heard it.
"And that's quite the loud snore," she noted with a slight chuckle, distracting her from earlier.
Quietly making her way to the spot, she saw the person who had caught her by surprise. Dressed in simple clothing that was slightly torn in some spots, a man who looked no older than her peacefully slept by the tree side.
She did not know who this man was and wondered why anyone would be taking their naps all the way out here.
Little did she know, this meeting was nothing short of fate, and would set events into motion that would shake the foundation of the kingdom.
The meeting between a burdened saint and a man far from home, underneath the cover of summer leaves.
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(A/N): Phew and there goes the first chapter of a story I just randomly decided to make. Honestly not sure where this will go, just know this is heavily inspired by the ideas in Rise of Kingdoms (yes, the mobile ad game with the dumbest ads), and many light novels I've read. I got addicted to the game, and suddenly got the idea to write a story with its limited ideas.
I'm an inexperienced writer who has not written any story before, so please do not hesitate with criticism. I'd just be happy with any type of feedback. Anyways hope u enjoyed it.