Sir Gareth, their grim guide, led them on a wild tour through the city. The streets were paved with, like, actual gold, and buildings taller than skyscrapers crowded the sides. Fancy carriages pulled by horses with sparkly wings zoomed by,kicking up shimmery dust.
Ryan's jaw was practically on the floor. Even the coolest video games couldn't compete with this real-life fantasy land.Even Sarah, the quiet bookworm, couldn't help but let out a low whistle. "This is, like, insane," she whispered, her eyes wide with wonder.
Mark, who usually talked more than a broken vending machine, was speechless for once. Even Jessica, the queen of designer everything, seemed to forget about her perfect outfit for a moment, her sunglasses failing to hide the awe in her eyes.
Shops overflowed with crazy stuff – potions that glowed in the dark, clothes that changed color, and even some weird,furry creatures talking amongst themselves. Little kids, some with actual wings or fluffy tails, ran around playing, their laughter echoing through the streets.
As they walked, Ryan felt like a total alien. Everyone stared at them – whispers flew, some people even pointed – like they were celebrities at a costume party, except they weren't wearing costumes, this was all real!
Their tour took them past busy markets, quiet cobblestone streets, and even bridges over canals that shimmered like jewels. Finally, Sir Gareth stopped in front of a giant, dark tower that looked way less friendly than the sparkly buildings they'd seen so far. It was made of dark stone and had creepy gargoyles perched on the corners, like something out of a horror movie.
"This is the Royal Tower," Sir Gareth announced, his voice echoing in the sudden silence. "Follow me."
Ryan wasn't exactly thrilled, but he had no choice. He trudged along with the others, a bad feeling creeping into his stomach. This wasn't some fancy palace with a welcoming committee. This place felt… different.
The entrance was a massive oak door bound with thick iron. With a groan that sounded like it came from the tower itself,Sir Gareth pushed it open, revealing a dark, spooky staircase that spiraled upwards. They climbed in near silence, the only sound their footsteps echoing on the cold stone.
After what felt like forever, they reached another giant oak door at the top. Sir Gareth knocked twice, a booming sound that made Ryan jump.
"Enter," a deep voice boomed from inside.
Hesitantly, Sir Gareth pushed the door open, revealing a giant hall filled with a golden light that seemed to come from nowhere. In the center, on a massive golden throne, sat a dude. He was old, with long, flowing gray hair and a beard that looked like it could win a beard competition. His eyes were bright blue and seemed to see right through Ryan, making him shiver.
This guy wasn't your average grandpa. He had this kingly aura about him, like the air crackled with electricity whenever he spoke. He wore a simple white robe, but it shimmered in a way that made Ryan think it wasn't exactly cotton. This was definitely a king.
Sir Gareth bowed low. "Your Majesty," he boomed, "I present to you the chosen ones."
The king nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping over the group. When he looked at Ryan, there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes that made Ryan feel weird, like the king actually knew him, not just as Blox, the school punching bag, but as something more.
The silence stretched for what felt like an hour. Then, the king spoke, his voice like a low rumble.
"Welcome," he boomed, his voice echoing through the hall. "We've been waiting for you guys."
A sigh of relief rippled through the group. Jessica fixed her outfit, Mark stopped messing with his backpack, and even Yuri, who had been unusually quiet the whole time, seemed to relax a little.
"Who are you?" Sarah finally asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"I am King Oberon," the king replied, his voice softening a little. "And this place is called Aethel."
"Aethel?" Dennis scoffed. "What is this place? Why are we here?"
King Oberon sighed, a tired look crossing his face. "Aethel is a world on the brink of destruction," he explained.
A murmur of shock rippled through the group. Destruction? This place, with its shimmering buildings and flying horses, was on the brink of falling apart?
King Oberon's gaze swept over them once more, his blue eyes holding an ancient sorrow. "For generations," he continued,his voice heavy, "we have awaited the arrival of the prophesied heroes, the ones who would answer Aethel's call. You," he gestured towards them with a sweep of his hand, "are those heroes."
Silence descended upon the hall, thicker than ever. The weight of the king's words hung heavy in the air, settling on their shoulders like a physical burden. Heroes? Them? The kids who spent their days stressing about tests, dodging bullies, and complaining about homework?
Jessica, ever the pragmatist, broke the silence with a snort. "Heroes? With all due respect, Your Majesty, we're just a bunch of high school students. Most of us can't even parallel park, let alone save a whole world."
A wave of agreement rippled through the group. Mark muttered something about bad video game plots, and Sarah fiddled with her camera strap, her face pale. Even Ryan, who secretly dreamed of being a hero, felt a wave of doubt wash over him.
King Oberon, however, didn't seem fazed by their lack of enthusiasm. A glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes. "I understand your doubts," he acknowledged, his voice softer now. "But the prophecy is clear. You are Aethel's only hope."
He paused, his gaze lingering on each of them in turn. "But before we can proceed," he said finally, "I need to know who you are. Please, one by one, introduce yourselves."