Deciding to agree, he mirrored the action, thrusting his hand forward and taking the offered appendage. "My name is Alistair." He replied as the two clasped hands.

The moment of contact sparked an abrupt streak of wind, the two became the centre of a writhing tornado. Despite his fears, Alistair resolved to stay still. A strange tether latched on to his being.

The feeling that followed was a vast influx of power. The sensation was magnificent and transcendent, as though immense power was within his grasp. As the tornado subsided, the intensity receded, and Alistair's vision noticeably shifted.

He noticed the surrounding air. It was not just oxygen and currents of wind, there was more. Wisps of tiny ethereal beings surrounded him, trailing the air currents or perhaps even the air currents themselves. They danced around him in a cacophony of beautiful artistry, their fluid movements mesmerising.

Looking around at the unfamiliar sights, he saw the familiarity of such beings. The strange fire-like entity in the castle was very similar. Looking around, he turned back to Ventus, who was smiling.

Intrigued by the spirit's amusement, he tilted his head, confused. "Ventus, what's so funny?" The question hung in the air and the spirit's grin widened far beyond a human's capability.

His form swelled with laughter, a playful breeze swirling around him. Noticing the spirit's downcast gaze, he followed his eyes. His heart nearly leapt out of his chest, the realisation crashing over him like a wave.

The sight of himself hovering mere inches off the ground, flying was not a novel experience. It was the sheer weightlessness, both exhilarating and unnerving. He hadn't realised gravity had lost its hold on him. Most drifted through life, unaware of the force that anchored them to the world.

A thrilling lightness filled him with euphoria. The familiar weight of the world and his own body were gone. Suspended in the air, he felt a sense of true freedom, the likes he had never felt before.

Together they ascended, and the spirits surrounding them weaved a haunting melody to honour the occasion. The sound was otherworldly, an ethereal blend of music and nature. As they lifted higher, the treetops fell away, and the world came into focus.

North was a vast mountain range, and the Empire's capital was south. Yet none of this seemed to matter, as the beauty of the world came into focus. Their ascent halted above the clouds; the wind spirits joyfully danced around them. Ventus moved to the side and together they gazed at the twin moons, one silver and the other a deep red. The sight was breathtaking, but for Alistair it stirred a wave of melancholy, dragging his thoughts to the distant pasts and forgotten dreams.

"Beautiful." The word slipped out.

"They are indeed magnificent; my kind call them Elowa and Nashi. My sister adores them two. She thinks they watch over her and the oceans," Ventus explained.

Both of them stared at the hanging jewels as if in a daze. Moments stretched, the world below becoming inconsequential in comparison. Pulled away by an invisible thread and back to reality, he frowned.

"I find it truly strange how at ease I am up here," Alistair wondered aloud, his brows furrowing.

"Your predecessors spoke of such a feeling," Ventus remarked, his voice a gentle breeze. "We spirit of the wind often take for granted the freedom of our nature." As he spoke, his voice drifted away, the spirit lost in thought.

Alistair could sense the weight of the millennia behind that pensive stare. He had encountered ancient creatures before and they all had that same look, no matter their form or nature.

"What is it?" Alistair queried.

"I was just pondering coming events; you will have your work cut out for you, but I think you are up to the task," Ventus said, a cheeky grin spreading across his face. "Amongst other tasks, I can see floating around in that devious skull of yours." With a playful tilt of his head, the spirit dared Alistair to deny his hidden intentions.

Ignoring the quip, Alistair switched topics. "You mentioned coming events and predecessors. Please elaborate."

He nodded a few times, more like a simulated nod. "There were not always three heroes summoned. I once took part in such things, imparting the blessing I have granted to you." He paused, his expression growing serious. "Regarding the conflict, that is a long story, but the short version is the Empire is being pushed into a war with the Federation of Demonus." The mention of this new civilisation sparked Alistair's curiosity, igniting a sense of exploration in his heart.

Despite an urge to ask a million questions, he remained silent, letting the spirit share his thoughts. "This conflict is absolute folly," the spirit shook his head. "The prejudice between these two societies has become so deeply ingrained for centuries now." He grimaced, clearly frustrated. "Imperials prefer to call the people of the federation as evil demons."

"Foolish humans, I have met members of the federation. Most are quite amicable. They are Demi-humans, to be more precise, a collection of various humanoid races united." He paused, inhaling a breath, something that made no sense to Alistair. "But of course, there are those amongst the federation that despise humans and have been rallying support. The Empire sees this as a provocation and thus we are heading in a direction I dislike!"

Thinking over the information provided, Alistair concluded. "The Federation is dealing with insurgents spreading anti-human sentiment and the Empire, having yet to shed their prejudice, is reacting with hostility." As he articulated his thoughts, Ventus turned to face him.

"You catch on quickly. Well done, little mortal."

Listing the woes of this world, Ventus had a vested interest in mortals, despite his low perception of us. Nodding, Ventus seemed reassured that at the very least, he had gained a semi-trustworthy alley.

"Still, this situation hardly warrants the summoning of heroes," Alistair said, furrowing his brow. "It seems more like domestic terrorism than a world-shaking calamity. Why such a reaction from the spirits and the empire?" The question hung in the air, heavy and unresolved.

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Unless, of course, the people of this world overreacted to international threats. Alistair thought with a hint of scepticism. The spirit's expression shifted, growing solemn as a tinge of genuine fear crossed his features.

"These issues by themselves do not warrant the summoning," Ventus continued. "What the anti-human movement represents and what they can do." Alistair listened, absorbing every word.

Before the Federation formed, the Demi-humans had divided into their own states. "At the end of this war, many atrocities occurred on both sides and yet it allowed the Demi-humans to unite and form the Federation, finally achieving some semblance of peace."

A slight smile grew, immediately fading with his next words. "This was only ten years ago; we didn't call upon heroes and my siblings viewed that as a mistake to stay out of events, only getting involved at the end after my sister could no longer bear it.

Realising the gravity of the situation, Alistair pondered the implication. The delicate balance of peace weighed heavily on his shoulders. It was a weight he had shouldered once before.

"I understand Ventus, I have helped. In exchange, I would like your help," Alistair said, watching the spirit expectantly.

Nodding as if accepting the proposition, he waited for him to continue. "If I am to help you, I will need magical information." Alistair continued, his tone serious.

"I require knowledge of magic to transport between dimensions, means other than the summoning ritual. If you can provide the knowledge, I will help." Ventus was stunned to silence, his expression shifting from confusion to intrigue, and settling into a maniacal grin.

"I must admit I have knowledge of summoning; such means are considered the simplest way to traverse worlds, but direct travel is difficult, even we spirits have limits in that regard. But there are those who study such methods."

Alistair's expression lit up at this revelation, a glimmer of hope in the darkness of his journey. "The summoning ritual is an ancient form of magic, even older than us spirits. We merely altered it for our own use, but there are those in the federation who practice dimensional magic, though I am not aware of any success in traversing worlds."

Ventus paused briefly and then became lost in thought. "There was once an order known as the Explorers of the Rift. They founded the Wizard State of Ikarus. They are currently part of the federation, I believe." The information seemed to inflame Alistair's desire.

The Explorers of the Rift, the Wizard State of Ikarus, If I'm not mistaken, Icarus was from Greek myth. Alistair thought, mulling over this new information. "Thank you for the information. Please tell me about this anti-human movement?"

Sighing sharply, Ventus explained the whole story. The explanation stretched on. The weight of the history he was revealing was heavy. Landing within the Empire's borders, near the forest entrance, just a short walk from the southern gate. Ventus departed with his last words.

"Remember deal mortal, I and my kin must begin the migration. I hope we meet again." Turning away, the spirit ascended into the sky, his figure melting away among the clouds.

As the spirit departed, the weightless sensation he once experienced vanished, replaced by the familiar sensation of gravity, anchoring him to the ground. Noticing the occurrence, Alistair grinned at the convenience of such a blessing. Deciding on his next move, he trekked back to the southern gate.

Recalling the information, Alistair internally revised the cliff notes. The anti-human movement calls themselves the Legion, they believe that Demi-humans are an advanced species that are meant to rule this world, naturally regular humans don't make the cut.

Other pieces of information resurfaced. The way they operate is like a terrorist cell, inciting federation citizens against humans, and launching coordinated attacks on imperial targets.

With his mind occupied, he didn't notice the rising sun and the morning. Suddenly, a horse-drawn carriage stopped in front of him, just as he was about to cross onto the road.

Startled out of his thoughts, Alistair took a moment to survey his surroundings. In front of him was a simple wooden carriage, drawn by a sturdy brown horse. Seated at the front were two humans. One in his late thirties, with short brown hair, a slightly round face and a rough unshaven beard, that hinted at long days on the road.

He was holding the horse's reins while a young boy sat beside him. The boy was no older than ten, with similar short hair, a childlike replica of the older man. The young man’s eyes widened with keen interest as he observed Alistair’s appearance.

Alistair turned to the carriage's cargo, a few crates of vegetables, only taking up half the space. Before he could get a better look, a gruff voice interrupted. "Hail traveller, you on your way to the capital?" The older man asked with a bright, friendly smile.

Alistair returned the gesture. "Yes, I am indeed sir, and you are perhaps a travelling merchant?"

The question had the older man grin widely. The infectious joy extended to his child. Giving the two some time, Alistair waited.

"I am not a merchant lad, just a humble townie and his boy selling our yield to the capital." The older man leaned down, his sun-kissed face squinted his eyes to get a better look. "The name is Roderick, and this is my boy Darryl. Say hi boy, don't be rude." The young boy greeted, before turning away.

"Well, meeting you both is nice. My name is Al, and I'm just a humble traveler from a place not found on the map seeking something new."

"A traveller huh, where are you coming from?" The man asked, his tone casual but probing.

Alistair could feel a sour expression form on his face. His mind raced to plan a believable answer. The uncertainty made him feel vulnerable. Not wanting suspicion to set in, Al answered vaguely.

"From the south, my good man, a small unnamed village, I left many years ago and headed to the empire's capital." He replied in the vaguest of vague answers.

Roderick narrowed his eyes. "Ah, I have heard about some villages to the south, but never been there, there half administered by the empire if the taxman even makes the trip."

Deciding to go along to get along, Al chuckled softly, trying to ease the tension. Accepting their generous offer, he climbed on the back, settling next to a crate of cabbages. With a loud crack of the whip and a sudden jerking motion, he urged his horse forward.