The blinding light eventually dimmed out, and I found myself surrounded by a dozen kids my age al wearing school uniforms. The floor was etched with unusual patterns and designs, and there were several people in robes, as well as an oddly clothed blonde man, at what appeared to be the border. "Didn't I just get hit by a truck?" another student mumbled "I tripped and fell into the train track on my way to school."
The blonde man approached us and said, "Welcome, heroes of the Azul ." " Where the hell are we, Azul?" A muscular individual yelled at the man. "What sort of prank is this?" The blonde man laughed uncomfortably. I'm not sure what you mean, but let me explain where you are."My name is Dennis and I summoned you to this dimension, the Azul dimension, to defeat this terrible Demon king, but Unfortunately, you were not born in this dimension and thus do not possess the ability to receive growth as we natives, "the Dennis began. This irritated the brunette student. "So we can't use magic," Dennis explained. "No, not yet. However, after the Hero ritual, your soul will be unsealed, allowing you to grow and use magic like the natives." The rest of the students erupted in delight. "We're going to be heroes!" "Uh, guys, don't you miss your families?" Everyone in the room stared at me, and the blonde man reassured us once more. "You will be summoned home immediately following the defeat of the Demon King, but I believe we should start the ritual." Dennis started speaking in a strange language, "khul la far Con Azul." A familiar white light engulfed us all, and I stared in awe at my glowing hands. Dennis spoke up once more. Heroes, the ritual is finished; you may not notice a difference, but-" I felt a sharp pain in my chest, which quickly spread throughout my entire body, causing me to collapse to the floor. Dennis was the last thing I heard yelling at the other magicians to go get a healer before the world faded to black.
Friday, December 25, 1980
"When is Dad coming home, Mom?" My sister inquired. "I'm sure soon, honey. He's just caught up in traffic." It's nearly 10 p.m., and my father hasn't returned home since this morning. My mother maintained a confident smile, but I could sense rage beneath it. We all sat at the table in silence until the door slammed open.
"Sorry, I should have known there was traffic." "Dad!" My siblings and I ran up to him and hugged him. " "I'll go reheat dinner," my mother sighed, placing Alisa in her high chair. My father accompanied her to the kitchen, and laughter and cheer filled the house once more, but I appeared to be the only one who noticed the small red stain on the cuff of his sleeve.
My eyes opened, and I found myself in a small room with a handful of furniture. "Was that a part of the ritual or something?" "Not quite." "Who the hell said that?" "me," At the foot of my bed, a floating, demonic-looking eye appeared out of thin air. I quickly grabbed the candle on the dresser and threw it at the eye, but it only phased through it, shattering the holder on the floor. "Hahaha, attacking is your first response; I'm starting to like you already," the eye laughed. I could remember That disgusting voice anywhere: "Oh, it's you." "Oh, you remember me!" said the eye, flattered. "How could I not, with that disgusting voice of yours" "Flattery won't get you anywhere with me, and I think it's time I got to the point: when you shook my hand and shared an infinitesimal portion of my power with you, it became a part of your very being, mind, body, and soul, so when that Dennis guy gave you that power, mine and his fought for control, nearly destroying you." It's a miracle you survived, but I did notice something unusual about you." "What exactly are you?" "I am what I am, but for the time being, you can call me Nightmare; wait a second, I don't even know your name!"
The door began to turn slowly. "I suggest you hide." "Relax; no one can see me except you." A brunette woman in a maid's uniform walked into the room. "Sir hero, are you awake?" "What happened here?" the woman asked, her gaze fixed on the floor. "I thought I saw a ghost," I replied. "This is the continent's capital; I can assure you there are monthly checks around the castle for ANY strange activity," the woman smirked. You must be hungry, so I'll go get you some food and a broom to clean up this mess." The woman pushed open the door to leave.
"Before you leave, could you bring my bag and one more thing could I ask what the time is it", "Of course and it's past midnight"
The maid returned a few minutes later with a plate of food on her right hand, a broom on her left, and my bag on her shoulder.
"Sir hero, you haven't eaten all day: please eat."
The maid put the plate on my lap. The dish was a thick slice of meat with a salad, I began cutting the meat and took my first bite. The taste is similar to chicken and beef and is likely the best meal of my life, but something was strange about it.
"Could I ask what the dish is?"
The maid had a look of confidence on her face and said, "Sir Dennis would only give the finest meal for our hero, it is roasted elder dragon with minsaw salad"
"Dragon!"
The maid chuckled and said." course he slayed it himself." "Thank you for the meal, and could I ask you what your name is?"
"Isabelle at your service"