I looked at the straight-faced ‘king’ in front of me.

Is he serious?

“To be your… weapon? What does that even mean?” I asked, debating whether to reach for the sword or not.

Before I could make a decision, he waved his hand and the sword shot right into his palm.

“Our weapon. What’s more to it? Quite frankly, we find ourselves in a dire situation here at the Emerald Kingdom. It was sudden, but they came without warning and with numbers. We managed to drive them back the first time… but after months of their constant attacks. we were embarrassed about losing more and more young mages.” He explained, looking at the sword. Gazing at me for a few moments before handing it to me.

I grabbed onto the hilt, feeling the air exert from under me once more.

“What came without warning?if a whole kingdom full of people who can utilize magic, how can you not defend yourselves?"

“They are demons, child.” the king put a finger to my forehead, tracing something on my skin.

I couldn’t tell what exactly he was tracing, a word? Letters? Why are they so spaced out?

I felt the hot hilt of the sword lessen its heat. The pressure underneath me started to decrease until vanishing once again. A few seconds later and I stood there with just the weight of the wooden sword, no longer feeling… whatever that was that allowed me to slice through Henry's spell.

“Demons, who have invaded our country . They come without a pattern, at least something we can comprehend.” he said, taking a step back and clasping his hands together. “Now then, you must be tired. We will discuss this again tomorrow. Officer, come accompany our Hero into the city.”

One of the people in robes walked out of their line and brought a hand across their chest. A slight nod before turning to me.

“Follow me,” the female voice said, walking without even awaiting my response.

I couldn’t see her face behind her hood. I looked back at the king and all he did was smile. I gave a nervous half grin and sheathed my sword into my belt, following after the officer.

After the whole ordeal, one of the robed mages gave me a tour of a city. I looked to the person beside me, their hood still covering their face and body, but could tell from the way she talked and moved, that she is female.

“Will I be able to return home.” I summoned up the courage to ask.

I had my wooden sword with me, but that glow from earlier is too strange to rely on for combat. My skills are already subpar to begin with.

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“Unfortunately, I cannot say.” she said, not a hint of sincerity in her voice.

Typical. A bunch of cult members sworn to secrecy? Or did she truly not know?

I sighed, “Are you at least able to tell me your name?”

She paused in her steps, bringing her hands to the sides of her hood. She spoke as she brought it down, “Vintra, Vintra Lightfeather.”

My eyes widened as the beautiful, short-haired woman in front of me left me behind.. Her tanned flawless skin contrasted my own pale skin that has barely seen sunlight except from outside the windows or during mock fighting tournaments.

“Alice.” I said, running up beside her.

“What?” she asked with the first hint of emotion I could sense.

“My name. Alice… Nightfall. Alice Nightfall, yeah.”

At first she didn’t react, but a minute later she nodded her head. It was almost… kind of cute. Reminded me… my sister! I need to find a way to get back home. Those bastards will pay for what they did.

We continued walking down the highly lit up corridors until we were met with giant golden doors inside a spacious room.

The entrance hall?

Vintra put her hands up and a floating circle appeared in front of her palms. Runes like the ones on the floor drawn in this miniature blue circle.

She aimed her hand to the crevice of the doors and pushed her arm forward. They flew open. The bright sunlight, blinding me as I took a step outside the door with her. When my eyes fluttered open, I was in disbelief from the sight in front of me.

I ran up to the white railing and looked down. We were overlooking a giant city with people flying through the sky as well as walking down below. The cobbled roads lined up with building after building. I looked farther out to the end of the city and could see the high built walls that surrounded us. The outskirts blurred by a giant barrier.

“It is beautiful!” I exclaimed, scanning my eyes along through the colorful scene down below. “Don’t you agree!”

I glanced over to Vintra with the same expressionless face as before standing beside the stairway.

“... Come along now,” was all she responded with, walking down the side of the stairs.

When we reached the bottom of the steps, we walked towards a crowded street.

“Where are we headed?” I asked, weaving through the people.

They all seemed to stare at me. I could feel their eyes on me as their heads turned. Were they just curious? It feels somewhat… ominous.

I put my hand to the hilt of my sheathed sword.

“No need to be on guard.” Vintra said, I caught her eyes glance at me but she looked straight ahead as soon as I did. “We are to get you essential materials for your time here. Appropriate clothing, a wand, and a place to stay.”

I closed my eyes and sighed in relief. I don’t know if I would be able to stay in that palace with that scary looking guy out to get me.

Opening my eyes, I looked to my side to see that Vintra vanished. Have I been abandoned already?

I tiptoed to try and see over the bustling crowd, but I didn’t know what I was thinking. I didn’t have the genes for that. I ducked down to look for any pair of familiar robes.

“Girl.” Vintra’s voice said in my ear like a whisper.

I spun around but no sight of her.

“Turn right and straight.” the voice whispered again.

I followed the instructions and ducked through the crowd towards a shop with Vintra standing by the doorway. She nodded then walked in.

Sigh, why can’t she use more words.