Nostoria's afternoon sun bathed the town square in a warm, golden glow, which was a rare moment of peace in Aaron's increasingly chaotic life. He strolled through the market, hands stuffed in his pockets, wondering how a guy like lui—unemployed, sarcastic, and definitely not cut out for heroics—had ended up as the de facto face of Nostoria's entertainment scene. Sure, it wasn't the worst fate, but it was a long way from the life of mediocrity he had mastered back on Earth.
"I mean, let's be real," he muttered to himself as he passed a stall selling bizarre-looking vegetables, "in another universe, I'd be an assistant manager at a grocery store, overcharging people for organic avocados." He shook his head, chuckling at the absurdity of it all. "But no, instead I'm stuck here, managing a failing theater and dodging potential death on a weekly basis. Neat."
His mind drifted back to the conversation he'd had with Tobias earlier that morning. Tobias, ever the optimist, had been buzzing with excitement over a new show he wanted to put on—something grand, something "unifying." Aaron had barely listened, too preoccupied with the strange, nagging feeling that something had changed within him.
It wasn't just a feeling of discomfort or unease. It was something… deeper, more unsettling, like an invisible force simmering just beneath his skin. He didn't know how to describe it, but every now and then, he'd catch himself thinking that maybe—just maybe—he wasn't the same guy who had stumbled into this world.
As Aaron approached the town's outskirts, he spotted Tobias in front of a small, rickety shop that looked like it was held together by pure optimism and the promise of good deals. The wooden sign above the door read "Elixirs & Oddities", swinging on rusted chains. The place looked like it belonged in the kind of stories where you accidentally buy a cursed amulet and end up haunted by vengeful spirits.
Tobias waved cheerfully when he saw Aaron. "Ah, there you are! I was starting to think you got lost in the market. Or worse, got sidetracked by those delicious meat pies."
Aaron raised an eyebrow as he joined Tobias at the shop's entrance. "Nah, I'm trying to avoid another meat-pie incident. Last time, I think I ate something that might have been legally dead for three days. But I've survived worse."
Tobias grinned, slapping Aaron on the back. "Well, today's not about meat pies, my friend. Today, we're here for something a little more exciting—potions!"
Aaron's face immediately fell. "Potions? Oh, great. Last time I drank something weird in this world, I was sick for days. Are we sure this place isn't just a front for a medieval drug dealer?"
Tobias laughed, shaking his head. "No, no. This shop is run by a trusted alchemist, and I think you'll appreciate what we're after. Remember how you've been feeling… off lately?"
Aaron stiffened at the question. How could Tobias know? He hadn't told anyone about the strange energy swirling inside him, and he certainly hadn't mentioned the weird flashes of power that sometimes buzzed in his veins like static electricity. It was subtle, but it was there.
"Off? Nah, man, I'm good. Totally fine," Aaron lied, shoving his hands into his pockets.
Tobias gave him a knowing smile. "Aaron, I've seen you. Something's changing, and not in a bad way. I just think… well, maybe it's time we figure out what's going on."
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Figure it out with potions? What, you think I've got a vitamin deficiency or something?"
"More like a magical imbalance," Tobias replied, pushing open the shop's creaky door. "Trust me, you'll want to talk to the alchemist about this."
Aaron sighed but followed Tobias inside. The air in the shop was thick with the smell of herbs and chemicals, the shelves lined with bottles of various sizes and colors. It was the kind of place that screamed "Don't touch anything unless you want to turn into a frog."
Behind the counter stood a small, hunched figure wearing a deep green cloak. The alchemist's face was mostly hidden beneath the hood, but sharp, intelligent eyes gleamed from the shadows. As Aaron and Tobias approached, the figure looked up and smiled, revealing a mouth full of crooked teeth.
"Ah, Tobias," the alchemist said, their voice raspy but warm. "Back so soon? What can I do for you today?"
Tobias stepped forward, all smiles. "Gretna, it's good to see you. We've got a bit of a… situation. My friend here, Aaron, has been experiencing some unusual symptoms."
Aaron crossed his arms, frowning. "Symptoms? What am I, a patient at a magical ER?"
Gretna, the alchemist, chuckled softly. "Unusual, you say? Well, I've seen a lot of unusual things in my time. What exactly are we dealing with?"
Tobias gave Aaron a look that said just go with it. Aaron sighed and stepped closer to the counter.
"Look, I don't know what's going on, but lately, I've been feeling… weird. Like there's something inside me that shouldn't be there. Sometimes, it feels like electricity. Other times, it's like I'm buzzing with energy, but I have no idea what it is or how to control it."
Gretna's eyes narrowed as she studied him, her gaze sharp and calculating. "Hmm… interesting. And you say this started recently?"
Aaron nodded. "Yeah. Not long after I got here, actually."
The alchemist reached beneath the counter and pulled out a small vial filled with a shimmering, silver liquid. "Drink this," she said, her voice low. "It will help us see what lies within you."
Aaron eyed the vial suspiciously. "Uh-huh. And this isn't going to turn me into a chicken or something, right?"
Gretna smiled, her crooked teeth glinting. "Not unless you want it to."
Tobias clapped him on the back. "Go on, Aaron. What's the worst that could happen?"
Aaron rolled his eyes. "I don't know, Tobias. Death? Spontaneous combustion? Becoming a chicken?"
Tobias chuckled. "You'll be fine. Probably."
With a deep sigh, Aaron uncorked the vial and downed its contents in one gulp. The liquid was surprisingly warm as it slid down his throat, and for a moment, nothing happened.
Then, suddenly, the world around him seemed to shift. Colors brightened, sounds sharpened, and Aaron felt the strange energy inside him surge to the surface. His heart raced as a wave of power flooded through him, making his skin tingle and his fingers crackle with unseen force.
"Whoa," Aaron muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "What the hell is happening?"
Gretna watched him closely, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Ah… there it is. You, my friend, are not like the others in this world."
Aaron blinked, trying to process her words as the sensation intensified. "Not like the others? What does that mean?"
Gretna leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. "It means, Aaron, that you have power—power that was never meant for this world. And now that it's awakening, you must decide what you will do with it."
Aaron's mind reeled. Power? He wasn't some chosen hero or a guy born with mystical abilities. He was just… Aaron. The guy who got by on sarcasm and dumb luck.
"I don't want power," Aaron said, his voice shaky. "I didn't sign up for this."
Tobias, sensing his friend's distress, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Aaron, maybe this is your chance. Maybe this is why you're here."
Aaron shook his head, the weight of it all crashing down on him. "No, man. This is a mistake. I'm not a hero. I'm barely a functioning adult. You saw what happened the last time I got involved with anything important—things caught fire."
Gretna's smile widened. "Perhaps… but power, once awakened, cannot be ignored. You'll have to face it sooner or later."
Aaron felt a chill run down his spine. He didn't want this. He didn't ask for this. But deep down, a small voice whispered that maybe—just maybe—this was his only shot at being something more than the guy who makes jokes at inappropriate times.
"Alright," Aaron said, exhaling slowly. "What do I need to do?"
Gretna's eyes gleamed. "For now? Learn. Learn to control it. And be ready, because there are those who will want that power for themselves."
Aaron glanced at Tobias, who gave him a supportive smile, but even Tobias couldn't hide the worry in his eyes.
"Great," Aaron muttered under his breath. "Just what I needed. More responsibility."