Being so early in the morning, Gris found it strangely therapeutic leaning against the train window, forehead pressed against glass. It was cool. It was the calm before the storm. Not long to go and he’d be forcing his way through drones of people on their way to work.

The train was busy, even being so early. People were chattering. Some were wearing suits, talking too loudly over the phone, eliciting begrudging tutting from other passengers who were trying to enjoy some semblance of silence on their way to work.

Gris sighed. He wiggled further into his chair, slumping down in an attempt to get comfortable. How did he get here? He knew how he got here. By taking the train, obviously. But here as in working a mind rotting office job. Staring at the screen, trying to act as if he was busy for the higher-ups that viewed the pointless acting of productivity above all else. He didn’t actually have to do any work. He just had to make it look like he was doing work.

It was all so exhausting.

He remembered a time when he was younger. A time where he fantasised that he could be something more. Maybe rich, so that he didn’t have to work all day every day, and he could do what he wanted, where he wanted to do it. Or like a superhero. He wanted to be strong, tall, and handsome.

Gris smirked at the childish thoughts flitting in his mind. He knew it was childish. But as he gazed out the window, watching the rolling verdant hills pass-by, he found himself in a world of his own imagination. One where he could be who he wanted to be. Look how he wanted to look.

In his current story-line, he was a survivor in the apocalypse. He obtained a Legendary-rank power that no-one else had just for existing.. He was the strongest on Earth. He was awesome. Life was good.

It made the 1 hour, torturous commute somewhat bearable before work.

Dammit. Gris frowned at the mention of that word. He felt butterflies churn his stomach. Just the thought of it made him sick.

His eyes widened. He thought he was in a dream, or maybe he underestimated the power of his own imagination. But nope. As he blinked, and rubbed his eyes as much as he could, he still saw it hanging high above in the sky.

Another sun just… appeared. Spawned. Along with it, were two other moons. They were so close that Gris could practically reach out and grab it. He couldn’t, obviously, but they were massive. Then there was the colossal pillar of blue light that shot up through the clouds and into the heavens beyond the horizon.

He wasn’t the only one that spotted it. It was difficult not to, as the world became two notches brighter all of a sudden. Like a god had fiddled with the dimmer light, and twirled it all the way up. Some people pointed their phones at it as if it was some normal natural phenomenon, talking to others with excited expressions brightening their drowsy faces.

This generation is fucked, Gris thought as he watched the younger folks taking an incalculable amount of photos. And even… selfies. Has the internet rotted everyone's brains? Probably.

Gris wouldn't consider himself as smart, but even he could tell something was seriously wrong.

Thankfully, most of the others had realised what was going on. A beautiful lady with long, ravel-like hair rushed over the isle, and leaned over Gris. He had seen her quite a few times, but never managed to strike up conversation with her. He never had the energy to. He had a big crush on her.

“What is that?” She asked, frowning at the sight of the supernatural.

“Nothing good,” Gris said, keeping his words short as he kept his vision on the new sun and moons.

As if on queue, something incredibly strange occurred.

Initializing System…

Gris shoulders recoiled. He swiped at the words. His hand moved through them. What the f–

Terraforming…

A flash of blinding white light made Gris shut his eyes as fast as he could. Gris winced. Even with his eye-lids closed, all he could see was white.

The entire train jostled and jumped. Gris’ eyes shot open. They were still blinded, but he could vaguely see the entire train almost derail.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

The woman who was leaning over him screamed, and ended up hugging his body for stability – which Gris didn’t have. With the train violently jerking, Gris found himself turfed onto the floor with the woman in his arms. His head slammed against the wall. He grimaced. Then, the train ground to a halt; wheels screeching against the metal tracks below, scratching at his ears.

Per Birthright guidelines, your planet — Earth — has been chosen to become part of the Birthright System that governs the multiverse. Everyone, every living organism is required by Supreme Law to have a chance at higher life. Everyone deserves a chance to become great. You are now one of them. We call them Conjurers. Beings that can summon monsters from across the multiverse. We, at Birthright, welcome you as a citizen. And good luck. You'll need it.

----------------------------------------

Landmarks have spawned. Please direct yourself to the pillar of shining blue light where the Tower of Birthright has arrived. You have 1 year to reach its base level. The longer you spend in the Outlands – once named Earth – the stronger the monsters will become.

Gris threw the woman to the side and shot up to his feet. His head throbbed, but he ignored that. He swiped the air, trying to get rid of the words in front of him.

Birthright, Supreme Law? What the hell is going on?

Confused, he looked outside the shattered windows. Alien blue light shone from beyond the overly tall, thick trees…

Wait, trees? Gris gazed at the far to large trees surrounding the train on both sides. One moment, they were heading through the hills, and now, they were in a gigantic forest? It didn’t make sense. There wasn’t a train route through a forest. At least not on this journey. He should know, he rode the train everyday.

The train engine door clicked open. The train driver strode out. He was visibly confused, but he put a brave face on.

“Everyone, my name's Derek, don’t panic,” he said with his hands in front of his body. “Right now, the communication signal is down. But the moment it’s restored, I’ll send word to the authorities. Does anyone else happen to have a mobile signal?”

His words made Gris, along with all the others, to either take their phones out of their pocket. Or those who had them out when the train jostled, to find them under the seats, or wherever they dropped them. Everyone started to panic.

His screen was cracked. He checked. Yep. No signal. Great.

What the hell is going on? Alien invasion? World altering oompa loompas that have left the chocolate factory?

Gris closed his eyes. Then opened them. Nope. He wasn’t dreaming. Shit.

“Please, don’t panic! It will just make this worse!”

A younger girl wearing a school uniform shouted, “How can this become worse? I don’t have the internet! I can’t update my Instagram!”

A tall man wearing a puffer gilet and slacks nudged past the student and stood in the middle. He addressed everyone that had gathered. “I’m Jok. A police officer. Derek is right. Panicking will only make things worse. Right now, we’ve got to understand what’s going on–” he gazed outside to the supernatural moons and sun.

He shook his head, and continued, “Until then, please don’t get off the train. The tracks could be dangerous.”

“How the hell can we not panic? Look around us! These strange words – how the hell do I get rid of them?” A large man said. Large as in fat. He was trembling in anger. Spittle ejected out of his mouth. Gris stood further back. He didn’t want a shower.

But he was right. Gris was panicking. He couldn't help it. His surroundings had just been warped beyond his realm of understanding. And strange, phantom words were filtering in front of his eyes. Terraforming. It was still there. How the hell could he get rid of it?

The woman by his side, had at some point grabbed hold of a long bag. It must be hers. Unless she was stealing. Gris doubted that. She had a job. She had money. But still. Maybe?

Screaming emerged from the back of the train. Gris only heard it because the windows had shattered from the turbulence. Goosebumps rose from his neck and arms. What the hell is happening now?

People stumbled through the door of the other car, practically stomping over each-other. Whatever was on the other side, they were scared of it. Now Gris was, too. What the hell was going on? He repeated, his nerves reaching a tipping point.

Because of that, he reached for anything that could defend himself. He unlocked a door next to the toilets where a fire-extinguisher was located. He grabbed hold of it. He felt the hefty weight in his hands. He pointed it at the door.

A tall, buzz-cutted strong-man was the victor of the stumbling masses. He blocked others from coming in. They shouted and screamed at him and punched his massive back. They’d have better success at picking the lottery. The dude was massive.

“Piss off!” he shouted, and jerked his back, sending those fighting against him backwards. He grabbed hold of the door, then forced it shut. Gris was certain it was only meant to be automatic.

Holy shit, Gris looked up at him. The dude was terrifying.

Jok rushed ahead, gently nudging Gris to the wayside. He spoke, his eyes glancing through the window at the oncoming passengers. There were a lot of them. Those further at the back seemed scared. Gris grip tightened around the fire-extinguisher, almost activating the trigger. Someone had an arrow poking into their shoulder.

Gris had a horrible feeling.

“What is going on back there?!” Jok shouted.

“It’s–” The tall, muscular man said, but a new screen interrupted him.

Mission received: Stop the Greenkins from slaughtering everyone on the train.

| Reward: 1 free spin.

Monster Summoning System Activating…

Free Weekly Spin Granted…

Summoning…