Alex awoke and exited the cabin to see that the serene mountain peak bathed in the morning sun. Suddenly, the air pulsated with vivid hues, as if the very essence of magic permeated the surroundings. Figures materialized, embodying the elements they represented. A towering presence wreathed in swirling cyclones personified the power of the air, while a radiant being emanated the essence of light. They stood alongside representatives of fire, shadow, and other elements, forming a council of elemental guardians.
Stepping forward, the man wearing a cloak of lightning he spoke to earlier, fixed his gaze upon Alex. His voice resonated with a power that seemed to reverberate through the very mountain.
"Welcome, chosen one," he said, his voice carrying the weight of ancient wisdom. "You have ascended the mountain and hopefully have rested properly. Now the true test awaits. It is time to unlock the depths of your potential and forge your path as the delegate of the elements."
Excitement and trepidation intertwined within Alex's heart with a hint of curiosity as he realized that this was the pivotal moment he had been waiting for. With unwavering determination, he steeled himself for the challenges and revelations that lay ahead.
Guided by the council of elemental guardians, Alex took a step forward, his voice filled with curiosity for answers.
"Why have I been brought to this place? What is the purpose of all this? And who are you?" His questions spilled forth, eager to unravel the mysteries that shrouded him.
The leader of the council acknowledged Alex's curiosity and began to shed light on his inquiries.
"Allow me to introduce myself; I am known as the Apostle of Lightning, and these esteemed individuals are my fellow Apostles of the Elements. Now, let me address your questions before we proceed further. You are about to enter a parallel universe, a world where magic and mana have existed since time immemorial. Your world and this world have overlapped in certain areas, causing a profound impact on both. This overlap, persisting for centuries, is now undergoing a shift, resulting in a rapid increase in mana concentration in this realm. As a consequence, dungeons have emerged—places teeming with mana and spawning monsters, extending beyond mere natural mutations. And in your world due to lack of mana, this will result in more natural disasters."
Pausing momentarily to gauge Alex's attentiveness, the Apostle continued, "Your integration with mana was facilitated by Johnson, an individual you may be familiar with from your world. Johnson's ancestors were chosen by us to identify a suitable candidate when the time was right. The integration has granted you the ability to traverse between worlds this once and bestowed upon you the potential to become the representative of the elements."
Alex couldn't contain his curiosity, interrupting the council leader in his search for clarification on his fate in both worlds. "Excuse me, Apostle of Lightning," Alex interjected, "but I have a question. You mentioned that I was chosen to be a suitable candidate for integration with Mana. How exactly was I chosen? And what does it mean to be the representative of the elements?"
The Apostle of Lightning paused for a moment, acknowledging Alex's eagerness to understand the intricacies of his selection. With a gentle smile, he began to shed light on the matter.
"Ah, an astute question, young one," the apostle replied. "The process of choosing a candidate for integration with mana is a complex one. We, the elemental council, have been observing the threads of destiny and the ebb and flow of magic within the realms. Through generations of careful observation and guidance, we identified certain qualities and potential in individuals from your world."
He continued, "Your perseverance, ambition, and unwavering determination caught our attention. Despite the challenges and setbacks you faced, you never gave up on your aspirations. Your spirit resonated with the essence of the elements themselves, drawing us closer to you as a suitable candidate."
"As for being the representative of the elements," the apostle continued, "it is a profound responsibility. It means that you will wield the powers of all the elements, harnessing their energy and becoming a beacon of balance and harmony. You will have the ability to manipulate fire, water, air, earth, and beyond, channelling their forces through your being."
Alex listened intently, his curiosity merging with a growing sense of purpose. He began to comprehend the weight of his role as the representative of the elements and the profound impact it would have on both worlds.
"When you were brought to this realm, your soul experienced a sudden influx of mana. While another candidate in this realm possessed a stronger soul due to exposure to mana since birth, his lack of ambition and dispirited nature led to his disqualification. You, on the other hand, were chosen for your ambition, perseverance, and relentless drive to prove yourself. Although your intelligence may have been suppressed through the integration process, which spanned years, you have continuously striven for greatness. Now, with your connection to the elements, your intelligence will be unlocked and further enhanced. In your world, your absence would be deemed a mystery."
The weight of the revelation sank in, eliciting a mixture of relief and remorse within Alex's being. Gratitude welled up as he realized the magnitude of being chosen and the opportunity bestowed upon him to achieve greatness. However, anger and resentment began to bubble to the surface.
"So, it was your interference that hindered my progress all this time! I toiled tirelessly to sustain myself, dedicating countless hours to studying, only to be met with disappointing results," Alex voiced his frustrations, unable to contain his emotions.
The Apostle of Lightning met Alex's outburst with understanding, extending a sincere apology. "We apologize for the hardships you endured. However, the circumstances were necessary. Among the candidates we had to choose from, you possessed one of the strongest connections to the elements. Moreover, your minimal interaction with others in your world played a crucial role. This decision was made while considering the potential consequences and the safety of humanity."
Acceptance begrudgingly settled within Alex as he realized the futility of dwelling on the past. "Very well, I accept your apology," he conceded, acknowledging that he could do nothing but adapt to the circumstances thrust upon him.
To continue the conversation and reduce the awkward atmosphere Alex asked "Where are we exactly?"
The Apostle of Lightning, sensing Alex's readiness to move forward, resumed their conversation. "This realm we inhabit is known as The Realm of Elements, a sub-dimension where we, the apostles, reside. As for your next steps, you will commence your training. Once your initial training is complete, we will provide further details about your mission. Fear not, your transfer between worlds will go unnoticed by anyone. Only a handful of individuals know of your existence at the moment. The only sign of the transition will be a slight fog in the surrounding area, signalling your transportation in both realms."
A wave of relief washed over Alex as he realized the concealed nature of his journey, shielded from sudden enemies and misunderstandings. There were too many misunderstandings in the novels he read. With this revelation, he resolved to adapt and observe how events would unfold.