“Education goes a long way,” I said, though it came out more as a groan.

Not that I wanted to help this creature—it might decide to take a bite out of me.

“You talk... differently. Can you be more clear? What the fuck is happening?”

The creature tilted its head unnaturally, like a person trying to break their own neck.

“Methinks this a folly, the act of communion amongst beings for carnal desire would not aid us in our desires. Thou are in need of guide upon this perilous path; I am in want of one who might broaden mine own.”

I admit the first sentence weirded me out, and I tried not to focus on it. Past all the gibberish, it seemed the creature could explain what was going on.

“So, what’s happening? One moment I was living my life, and the next, the world went crazier than it already was.”

The creature stared, two of its insect-like hands brushing its antennae. It took a few minutes before it answered, during which I felt exposed, as if the being was peering into my very soul.

“Ah, a lost human. If thou speaks truth, thy world shall soon synchronize with all that do exist, as the new beginning shall soon commence. Thou art one of the first of thy kind to do so of thine own accord, deemed by reality to be one of the last planets to partake.”

It’s not like books, movies, games, and all that nonsense would help in this situation. But all the fantastical media I’d consumed helped me understand one thing:

I’m screwed. This kind of chaos is always dangerous. Maybe this wasn’t some weird experiment. But that’s what this creature was saying—it could be lying.

As if sensing my inner conflict, the creature released its antennae.

“Fear not for thy health; thou art one of the first of thy origin to synchronize with the beginning at the end. Thy path shall be freer than most of thy brethren. Empowered by both the power and duty of one such as thee, the ancients are still limitless. Yet thou, in thy insignificance upon such a stage, hast a chance to achieve supremacy. Microscopic as it may be, it is a chance nonetheless.”

“What??? This doesn’t make sense. Okay, it makes some sense, but still, what the hell is going on?”

The creature slowly walked toward me, as if I were a scared little animal.

"Alright, what is this ritual all about?", I'm here to save people, save myself, if some black magic is needed so me be it.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

The creature moved faster, stopping near me, close enough for one of its insect arms to reach out.

“We shall commence with mingling thy being with essence, as little by little this boundless space do acclimate thy existence. First, I must prepare the ceremony, for such a splendid act demand its glory to be fulfilled in full measure.”

Faster than anyone I’d ever seen, the creature gathered items from all over the room. It seemed there were hidden compartments everywhere—cabinets, wardrobes. The creature even handed me robes.

They were too big for me, but I wasn’t foolish enough to anger the creature.

I set my bags down, my back screaming in protest. Maybe carrying my portable PC and accessories wasn’t the best idea, but whatever—better not to die of boredom.

Stripping down to my underwear, I put on the robes, my bare feet meeting the cold ground. At least it was clean—cleaner than my house.

Sitting on the floor, using the robe’s hem as a makeshift mat, I waited as the creature prepared the ceremony.

That time was enough for exhaustion to set in, along with doubts about my sanity.

Am I here to save people, save myself, or just trying to survive this madness?

The initial thrill of something new and unexpected had long faded.

Maybe some of the amazement remained as I watched the creature put the finishing touches on the ceremony. The setup was in the center of the room.

I don’t know how, but the place now looked like an altar with an enormous basin filled to the brim with a liquid that resembled water.

All around it, candles and strange symbols created a ritualistic pattern. The color scheme matched the temple—blood red with dark red accents.

The eerie voice sounded again in my mind: “The preparations art nigh complete. Thou art awaited in the cup, drenched in body and mind. The synchronization shall soon commence, and thou shalt be made whole.”

I looked at the creature where its eyes should have been, raising an eyebrow. Should I thank it or not? If I died from this nonsense, it would be stupid to thank my own murderer.

“Thank you, uh... What’s your name?”

The creature blasted my mind with a flood of information, but amidst the chaos, I grasped something: Houonas.

Which was kind of nonsense anyway.

“Got it. Thanks, Houonas.”

A pair of the creature’s insect-like hands clasped together. I didn’t know if it was a gesture of acceptance, gratitude, or something else.

No use delaying it. This seemed incredibly dangerous, but if Houonas was to be believed, I might get answers.

And if I had one flaw, it was seeing things through to the end—at least when they caught my attention.

Be it stupid as they may.

Slowly, I stepped onto the platform above the floor, my feet feeling its warmth. Trying to convince myself this wasn’t some royal cooking pot, I dipped one foot into the liquid.

It was slightly more viscous than water, like it had been mixed with salts. The temperature was warm. I turned to see the creature approaching the platform.

Sitting in the basin, I felt like I was in a medieval bathtub. Watching all those sword-and-sorcery series must’ve been good for something.

This place really did look like a royal palace—probably the largest structure I’d ever seen. Sadly, I’d never seen a real one, so this might’ve been abnormally huge even then.

It was about the size of an entire district!

The series I watched had castles the size of small cities, though.

As I mused, the creature spoke to me again, directly into my mind.

“So it begins! Thou shalt soon be more than thou art. Thy candidacy shall be writ in blood and flesh, a testament to thy becoming.”

What?! Candidacy?!

Before I could respond, an ethereal symbol appeared in the air. The creature’s arms moved in a dance-like motion, and a red light reflected in the liquid, engulfing my vision in crimson.