"It's the hero, we did it," said one of the turbaned people around the boy they called hero. He was surrounded by them in a dark stone room. At his feet, a painting with various symbols whose glow faded quickly.
"Where am I?" the confused young man asked, looking around trying to find an answer.
"Oh great hero, we have summoned you to help us against the evil demon king," said one of the subjects, bowing, followed by the rest of the people.
I don't understand what's going on, hero? Demon king? I'll play along for a bit. He tries to stand up, but as he does, the glasses he was wearing fall off. Trying to put them back on, he realizes his vision is getting blurry as he puts them on.
"Hero, please accompany us," said one of the subjects approaching.
What's happening? Why can't I see well when I take off my glasses? My vision is perfect without them. He stopped paying attention to the glasses and turned to the subject who suggested he accompany him.
"Alright," said the boy.
He was guided down a spiral staircase, it seemed he was in a tower, illuminated by some torches on the walls, making it safe to descend. Upon exiting, he was hit by the sunlight, the hustle and bustle of people talking around the area, and people murmuring while looking in his direction.
"This way," mentioned one of his escorts.
They led him to a garden in front of the castle, decorated with beautiful plants and a statue in the center of it all. The guards and servants stopped their activities to see the boy being escorted. As they crossed the garden, they were led inside the castle.
"Could it be him?" murmured one of the maids to her companions.
I don't understand any of this, the young man thought again. What was I doing before I got here? I don't remember. Everything he tried to recall came as simple images that faded away, causing complete forgetfulness.
"We have arrived," said one of the escorts, stopping in front of a large door guarded by 2 guards. Quickly, after verifying who they were, they opened the doors. Inside the room, an older man could be seen sitting on an elevated throne. His robes were decorated with gold pieces, and a large crown adorned with gems sat on his head. Several shiny rings adorned his fingers as he observed the young hero calculatingly.
"Introduce yourself," he said harshly to the young man.
"I am..." he couldn't remember his name.
"It seems forgetting is normal for those summoned from other worlds," said the man who appeared to be the king. "We will call you Edén, you will be the new hero of my world."
"Edén," murmured the young man, accepting his new name.
"I believe they have already told you why we summoned you, but it never hurts to review. You were summoned to fight the demon king, who has not appeared for a long time, perhaps 100 years. But a few days ago, his presence was detected, and they began to raid human lands. We want you to defeat him and save this world," he said, looking seriously at Edén.
So that's why they summoned me, but I don't understand how I can be the savior of this world.
"I understand your situation, but I don't know how to fight," he said dubiously to the king.
"Don't worry about that, Sergej will train you. He is my chief commander of my army, and with him, you will learn to handle combat," he said, while motioning for his commander Sergej to step forward to Edén.
"If those are your orders, I will train this guy!" he said loudly, then turned to Edén.
"Alright, that matter is settled. Go train, and we will talk when you consider yourself ready," said the king, motioning for them to leave.
Sergej quickly moved, grabbing the boy and dragging him outside. They walked through the garden until they reached a corner of the castle where there were some practice dummies. Quickly, Sergej took two wooden swords, throwing one to the young man and showing him a basic stance. Edén tried to take the stance, but was quickly struck by Sergej. He tried again, but his stance was broken again.
"Improve your stance!" Sergej shouted, correcting his posture. They continued like this for hours.
"Hey you!" Sergej called to a passing maid. "Guide this guy to his room." He proceeded to put the training swords back where they were and left the area.
Edén was kneeling, exhausted after being brutally beaten by Sergej. Leaning on the maid, he was taken to the room where he was allowed to live while at the castle. It was hard for him to walk, but thanks to the young maid, they made good progress. Upon reaching the room, the young maid separated from him and made a small bow.
"Thank you," said Edén to the nervous-looking maid, who bowed and then left.
Upon opening the door, he could see his room, which had a bed and a nightstand beside it, with a plate of meat and vegetables on it. He proceeded to enter, sat on the bed, and ate the food. Exhausted, he fell onto the bed and slept, ending this strange first day.