Theo blinked, the neon lights of the arcade fading to a soft glow. One moment he was lost in the virtual world, the next he was standing in a vast, unfamiliar chamber with walls that gleamed like polished marble. A sudden silence enveloped him, as if the universe had taken a deep breath, holding it in anticipation of his next move. He looked down at his hands, expecting them to be shaking with fear, but instead found them steady.
"Welcome, hero," a melodious voice echoed through the room. A figure emerged from the shadows, a woman of breathtaking beauty, adorned in gold and jewels that reflected the light in a dazzling array of colors. She approached him with a grace that seemed to defy gravity, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and apprehension. "I am The Empress," she announced, her voice as smooth as the silk that draped her slender frame.
Theo's mind raced. This was it. This was the moment he had always dreamed of—being summoned to another world to save the day. But why was she looking at him like that? As if he were a wild animal she hadn't quite figured out how to tame. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, extending his hand. "Theo," he said with a smile.
The empress's gaze flickered with surprise before she took his hand, her grip firm but gentle. "I'm sorry for the suddenness of your arrival," she said, her eyes searching his. "But our world, Astra, is in dire need of your... assistance." Behind her, a group of women in armor, their expressions equally as intense, nodded in agreement. Theo felt a strange thrill run through him. He was really here. He was going to be a hero.
But the empress's next words sent a chill down his spine. "The Holy ritual... it malfunctioned. We need you to... well, to put it bluntly, to help us continue our species. The artifact we once used to give birth has failed, and your seed is our last hope." Theo's cheeks flushed at the proposal, his heart hammering in his chest. This wasn't quite what he had in mind for his first quest in an isekai, but if it meant saving an entire world...
He looked around the grand room, taking in the grandeur of his new surroundings. "What do I need to do?" he asked, his voice steady despite his racing thoughts. The empress sighed in relief, the tension in the room palpable. "Rest tonight," she said, her smile tight. "Tomorrow, we'll discuss your role in more detail."
As he was led to his chambers, Theo couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. The guards' eyes followed his every move, their expressions unreadable. He lay on the plush bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind a whirlwind of excitement and doubt. What had he gotten himself into?
The empress retreated to her private quarters, her thoughts a tumultuous storm. She had hoped for a hero, but the gods had a cruel sense of humor. If Theo was the one they had sent, she would make sure he understood the gravity of his situation. But for now, she needed to ensure his safety. Her decision to summon was risky, but with the fate of Astra hanging in the balance, she had no other choice.
The following dawn broke with a gentle warmth, the light spilling into Theo's chamber like a soft embrace. He stretched, his muscles feeling oddly rejuvenated despite the unfamiliar bed. A knock at the door startled him, and he quickly donned a robe provided for him. A young girl with piercing blue eyes and a shy smile entered, carrying a tray of food. She set it down and curtsied before speaking in a soft whisper. "The empress will see you when you're ready," she said before slipping out of the room.
Theo took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. He had dreamed of this, hadn't he? The chance to be a hero. But now that it was real, he couldn't help but wonder if he was ready for the responsibility that came with it. He dressed in the clothes laid out for him, a simple yet elegant outfit. He had thought that he had to defeat the evil, but This was heaven for him. Wait "I am Virgin". "Fuck, I don't even have the guts to speak with girls, let alone have sex with a total stranger, this is totally awesome."
He thought nervously. He walked out of his chamber, the guards following at a respectful distance.
The corridors of the castle were vast and filled with the murmur of women going about their duties. Theo couldn't help but feel a bit awkward as he passed by, their eyes lingering on him with a mix of curiosity and hope. He was the only male they had seen in years, a living embodiment of the future they longed for. When he finally reached the empress's throne room, his heart pounded like a drum in his chest.
Empress Adara sat upon her throne, the same hopeful yet cautious expression on her face from the night before. "Good morning, Theo," she greeted him, her voice still as enchanting as it had been. "I trust you rested well?" Theo nodded, trying to ignore the butterflies in his stomach. "Now, let's discuss your... contribution to Astra," she said delicately. "The artifact, the Heart of Astra, requires the essence of a hero to restore its power. Without it, our ability to bear children will be lost forever."
Theo swallowed hard, trying to focus on the gravity of the situation rather than his own nerves. "So, what exactly do you need from me?" he asked, his voice slightly shaky. The empress looked at him with a soft smile, as if she could see the turmoil in his heart. "We will perform a ritual," she began, her words carefully measured. "One that will bind your essence to the Heart, ensuring that our people can continue to thrive."
The details of the ritual were explained to him in a way that made him feel both honored and a little bit like a lab rat. He would be the first male to participate in such a ceremony, and the thought both thrilled and terrified him. But he couldn't back out now. Not when the fate of an entire world rested on his shoulders—and, admittedly, in his pants.
The ritual was set for the next full moon, giving Theo a week to prepare himself. He spent the days exploring the castle and its grounds, the sacred guard always a silent presence at his side. The castle was a marvel of architecture, filled with gardens that bloomed with flowers of every color, and fountains that sang sweetly with the melody of flowing water.
Theo felt like a celebrity, with the castle's inhabitants whispering his name as he passed. Some approached him with awe, others with skepticism. He knew the weight of their hope was immense, but he couldn't help but feel a growing excitement. This was his chance to be the hero he had always dreamed of.
But the nights were filled with his own doubts. Could he really go through with it? The empress was beautiful, yes, but he had never been with a woman before. What if he couldn't perform? What if he was a disappointment? The guards outside his door remained vigilant, a stark reminder of the seriousness of his role.
The days passed in a blur of preparations, training, and meetings with advisors. Theo tried to push his fears aside, focusing on the task at hand. He studied the lore of Astra, the history of the Heart of Astra, and the ancient rituals that had been passed down through generations. He trained his body and mind, pushing himself to his limits and beyond.
As the moon grew fuller each night, so too did the tension within him. He felt the eyes of the entire kingdom upon him, willing him to succeed. And when the night of the ritual finally arrived, Theo knew he had no choice but to embrace his destiny, no matter how daunting it might seem.
The air in the chamber was thick with incense, the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows on the walls. The sacred artifact, the Heart of Astra, lay before him, a pulsing crystal that seemed to hum with an otherworldly energy. The empress stood beside it, resplendent in a gown that left little to the imagination.
Theo took a deep breath, his heart racing. He could do this. He had to. For Astra. For humanity. For himself. He stepped forward, ready to become the hero he was born to be.