As my hand comes into contact with the crystal, it seems my consciousness fades, followed by that disoriented feeling. A new space? I wonder to myself as my mana sight spreads out. I am in an endless field of wheat, golden wheat as I look up to see what is there, but one hourglass as bright as the sun sits in place of the actual sun.
"Where is this?" as I take it all in, I stumble back and bump into something. As I turn, a man is standing there.
"How did I not see you? I ask in shock. Wait, a better question. "Am I in the crystal?"
As if on cue, the man replies, "All answers will come in time, but blind, huh my? And very young, I'd say five, but mentally much older. You are a strange one. Are you not? young one."
"Yeah, but don't you think this is weirder like I touched a crystal, now I'm in a field with a sun that is an Hourglass?"
"Ooo, hoo! You are my successor in time magic, are you? I was wondering about that! Yes, I suppose if the sun was replaced, I might freak out a little, too. Now, let me touch your forehead so I can pass on. All will be answered, though you are too small and weak to access everything at once, at least some of the spells. So you will have to do a lot to raise your life essence. " the strange man stated matter of factly."
As he touches the middle of my forehead with his index finger, spells flow like the river of time itself, neverending and unstoppable. My head feels like it's about to split, but it won't stop coming! The pain brings me to my knees as I scream, the spells end, and new info rolls through. This time, I writhe on the ground for what feels like hours, but to my luck, only minutes pass my voice As the information flows. grows horse, I realize that the strange man was Raz the conqueror, also known as the first king of the empire, so he was a time mage. As my mind continues to clear, a message pops up
-DING-
Due to the age of the host and the inheritance of Raz the Conquer, also known as Father Time, the host will have to wait until he, the host, turns fifteen!
As my mana sight becomes focused, I'm in a familiar situation in a bed being looked at from above. As Boch notices my stirring, he exclaims,
"Thank Luxus!"
"Dear, did he wake up?' I hear from the other room the voice is unfamiliar but very gentle and sweet.
"Yes, sweetie, he's awake!" Boch says back.
"Good dinner will be ready soon, young Zeus. Rest until then, " the woman says
Realizing Boch is still next to me, I ask,
"What happened? How long have I been out?"
"About a month, though, I wouldn't worry. Not much has happened. The king has instructed me to accompany you again towards Ankier. As soon as possible for what happened, you touched the stone and passed out. The king thought you were dead at first, and then you had some weird essence flowing into you. But you seem fine, and you've been looked at, so no biggie."
How is Ankier and the surrounding territory? I ask.
"Not good Boch replies. Crime is rising due to the lack of goods flowing and the absence of leadership. No one puts it down. We must deal with a small army of bandits in due time. For now, let us eat!
As Boch says this, I hear "Dinners ready!" from the other room. As I sit up, my head spins, but it's not so bad as to not be able to walk or fight, for that matter. But it still surprised me. As I walk, I enable mana sight, and I finally see Boches wife, and my breath is taken away. An angel is all I can think of.. she is a blonde woman about 5' 9", and god, is she curvy; she has blue eyes. a cute nose, and she is pale. She is so pale it looks unhealthy, but all considered, she is looking good. As I stare,
"She pokes at me. I know I'm beautiful, but you are far too young, and I'm married!" Uhum! I hear from Boch, "Let's eat!" As we finish the meal, Boch speaks up
"Well, honey, I hate to eat and run. However, we must be of you know as to get this young lord to his domain."
"And to defeat some bandits," I add
"Be safe, both of you," she says worriedly
"Veronica," Boch says well, now I know her name.
"Welp, time to go!" After a few awkward seconds,
We teleport, and I feel no disorientation like I would typically. Boch explains we will need to teleport another five times, to which I shrug, "Well, here we go!" Boch says in reply, and within minutes, we arrive in front of the gates to Ankier. As we appear, the guards immediately draw their weapons,
"HUALT! None are allowed in due to the bandits declaring war on Ankier! State your business, young man."
Wait, where is Boch? Well, no matter, I mumble to myself and then shift my attention to the guards. In my most commanding voice, I state my purpose: "I am Zeus Lightless Gatsby by order of his majesty. I am the lord of this city and sounding land. After a brief pause, they burst into laughter. After a few seconds pass, they return to severe.
"That is the funniest thing I've ever heard. You lord of Ankier, what are you five kid?
"I have the documents to prove my claim," I say, annoyed, "either let me talk to the guard commander, or I will make my way through myself! "You and what army kid," they say in unison.
"Cute, you two are in sync." Now, let me talk to the commander. I say as I start to walk towards them.
Don't approach the gate, or we will be forced to hurt you!
I have no intention of stopping as I am in a rush. As if queue, an older gentleman comes out the side of the gatehouse. What's the commotion?
"Captain, this boy claims to be the new lord!" Okay, you go back to your posts, boy. Come with me, and I hope you aren't lying for your sake." he leads me to the guard house, where a few eyes look at me curiously. But no one interrupts. I'm sat down in the captains' office, so you the new lord?
Let me see your magic seal and documentation.
I provide both from storage as the captain's eyes widen, so it's true, my lord, you are young, as the rumors have claimed.
I am young, but I will do right by this land and its people as I swore and swear now I will right the current problems we are suffering here, but first, give me the rundown on how bad it is.
The captain explains the lack of food available to the people, how they are turning to crime, and the unrest from the recent declaration of war from the bandits. As I hear, I ask What you mean by the food available to the people? You make it sound like people of higher status are keeping it away from the general population. That is precisely what happened to my udder disbelief. I'm shocked it's time for an announcement. as the guards inform the people about the new lord's arrival and my upcoming declaration. I prepared to give it.
The time has come, my lord, Call me Zeus captain, at least in private
Zeus, what is your plan
"Simply make it so no one starves as I approach the platform that I will be speaking from, guard all around me; I feel anger for the number of people that are in tattered clothing that look to be nothing more than skin and bones as I push the anger down I reach the podium.
"People of Ankeir, hear your new lord. Though I am young, I will be making some changes that will benefit you, the people. One, I will be implementing rationing. All people will be given two meals a day, and anyone of higher class that is found to have over 150 pounds of food in their stores will be tried for enticing a rebellion as for any food that is donated to the castle stores within two days, no questions will be asked. No charges were presented. This will be in place until the bandit problem is solved. Anyone who would like to volunteer to serve me as a brother-in-arms can do so. The payment is one silver a month. Talk to the guard's barracks for more information. If anyone has a problem, you can come to my castle within the month to state these problems." As I walk away toward the castle that will one day be a place of hope and power. That is for much later in this story.