Over the course of the next hour, Aosed and Jaosdef explained that each earth - and yes, there apparently were multiple - had guardians over them, creatures like Aosed and Jaosdef themselves. They kept things from getting too out of control, occasionally raising up a hero to conquer some sort of evil. 

“Wait,” Isabelle had interrupted, while Matthew sat silently next to her trying to process everything that was being said. “But how come there aren’t records or stories about creatures like you?” 

“There are,” Jaosdef had said. “Angels, djinn, wizards, where do you think those rumors got started?” 

Aosed and Jaosdef had just been promoted, looking over several planets at once. They had had records of two worthy humans that they would have take up the job of clearing the earth - Matthew Harrington and Isabelle Locksmith. But apparently travel between planets had taken them longer than expected, and now their heroes were quite past their prime. Aosed and Jaosdef’s inspection was soon, where their overseer - who they simply called ‘boss’, would come to make sure everything was in order. 

“And we can’t let him know that we were late,” Aosed winced and wrung her hands. “Surely we can fix this without losing our promotion. He’ll be here in three eiaths.” Which was apparently a length of time that didn’t translate well into human measurements of time. Jaosdef said it could be anywhere from four days to two weeks. 

Silence had settled for a few heavy seconds before Matthew opened his mouth. “Why can’t you just do it?” he asked. “You don’t need us, do you?” 

Aosed shrugged. “Well…” 

Jaosdef pulled a rule book out of a pocket over his chest that hadn’t been there a moment before. “Technically, we’re not supposed to interfere personally. ‘All interactions and corrections on the planet must be executed through a human representative,’” he quoted. 

“But we can’t possibly be of any use for…” Matthew paused. 

Isabelle cocked her head, catching Matthew’s thought. “What are you wanting us to do? What mission do we have?” 

Aosed turned, glancing out the window. “This planet has reverted from the natural state it was made in. It’s becoming more and more…mechanic. And one man is at the top of it all. He’s trying to control the entire population.” 

Matthew nodded. That was a problem that needed fixing, however, how were they supposed to fix it?

But if it was Matthew’s responsibility…

“Why can’t you pick someone else?” he questioned. “Why not someone younger and more familiar with the…” he gestured vaguely to below the mountain. “Technological world?” 

“Already told boss who we’d picked,” Jaosdef said. “He’d know if we lied.” 

“But…” Matthew looked down at his wrinkled hands. He was still in excellent shape for his age, but in good enough shape to go traipsing down the mountain and stop an overlord? Probably not. 

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“So we have to get rid of the guy who’s trying to control the world,” Isabelle mused. “Before your boss comes, and we don’t know exactly when that is. But unfortunately, we don’t know anything about how to do that, and we’re not exactly fit.” 

Matthew nodded, and Aosed grimaced. 

“So, I have an idea,” Isabelle said, her eyes sparkling. She clasped her hands together. 

“Firstly, you guys can come with us,” she said. “You won’t be interacting personally, but you’ll be telling us what to do since we don’t have experience.” 

Jaosdef nodded slowly. “There’s nothing about step by step directing in the rulebook. It could work.”

“And,” Isabelle continued, smiling. “Since you need our help, until your boss gets here, you guys make me and Matthew young again.” 

Matthew stared at her. How would it feel to be young again? To not feel the aches of arthritis, to have strength without working for it? 

Isabelle was grinning, catching Matthew’s eye. She wanted to help Aosed and Jaosdef, for sure. But really, she was excited to be young again. 

Sadly, Aosed shook her head. “We can’t.” 

Matthew frowned. “Surely you can,” he said. “You need our help. Your boss is coming soon. The least you can do is tell us what you want us to do and give us the capability to do so.” 

“No,” Jaosdef said. “We’re not allowed to make any changes to our heroes. Otherwise we could just take any random person and make them younger, or smarter, kinder, or stronger. That’s why finding the right people is so important.” 

Isabelle and Matthew looked at each other. Isabelle’s expression had fallen, becoming almost mournful. 

Matthew folded his arms. “So what’s the point? The damage is done. The world has been overcome by technology. I doubt we could topple a global monopoly that everyone relies on in just a few days. You were late and we’re old, and you won’t pick somebody else or make us young again. Why should we leave our business, safety, and the comfort of our home, to help you on a mission that won’t succeed and will exhaust us or even get us landed in jail?” 

Aosed and Jaosdef met each other’s gazes, not saying anything.

“We can’t make you young again,” Aosed said quietly, looking down at her hands. “But we can promise that if you’ll try, you’ll really try, there is a fair chance of succeeding.

“Due to the circumstances, we’ll stay with you and help you,” she continued. “And if you make it, there will be a reward. I can’t tell you what, but I can say that it will be more than worth it.” 

Matthew grunted, but Isabelle was listening. 

“Matthew,” she said gently, placing her hand over his. “Maybe we should try. This could help the kids. It could help the world.” 

Matthew met her gaze. She was so sincere. It felt good to be needed. Maybe it would be good for him to get out of the resort and back into the world for a while. 

Everyone looked at him, waiting for an answer. 

“Alright,” he said finally, starting a wave of excitement. 

“But,” he continued sternly, raising a finger. “You’d better be very darn helpful and this better be worth it.” 

Jaosdef grinned. “Don’t you worry Matthew, it will be.” 

Jaosdef and Aosed wanted to leave that night, but Matthew told them no. They needed time to tell their customers that there was an emergency and that the resort was shutting down temporarily. Besides, he wanted a good night’s rest. 

The two beings disappeared in a dim flash of light, leaving him and Isabelle in darkness. 

“Well,” Isabelle said. Matthew could hear that she was smiling as she spoke. “That was unexpected.” 

Matthew laid down, lifting the blankets so that Isabelle could slide under as well. “You’re excited?” 

She laid down and smiled at him. “Very.” 

Well, that was something, Matthew thought. And he couldn’t resist Isabelle’s excitement, he had never been able to. He smiled before falling asleep.