Well, I guess I’m the main character now, great. I suppose here is where I go back in and attempt to figure out everything she has been saying to me. I look back at her, attempting to focus in on her words. It’s very hard, mind you, as those brown eyes are very, very nice. But I have a good bit of self control.
“...absolutely bollocks that you’re the chosen one! Have you even been listening to me?!”
“Me? Of course I have, the very definition of studious right here ma’am. Heard all about being the chosen one and you hating every second of it.” Ha, got her.
“Oh yeah? And what does being the chosen one mean.” Shit.
“Well, ahhh, I’m supposed to save the galaxy from a super evil bad guy and find a wonderful damsel to get out of distress? Speaking of damsel…” I see her arm swinging towards my face, so I try to duck out of the way. Unfortunately, my previous injuries prevented that stinging slap from missing.
“Follow me you insufferable idiot.” Grabbing my arm like I was a child, she wrenched us out of the dungeon I was in. Once we reached the top of the stairs, I prepared myself to take in some gorgeous fresh air, but boy was I dumbfounded when the grassy plains and purple sun turned into the hallway of a castle, red carpet and all.
“Okay, so since when did holo tech evolve that much, because the last time I saw holo tech, I was pretty good at discerning what was real and what wasn’t.”
“You really don’t listen to anything you idiot.” Hey, you weren’t the one being forced into a main character role. “This isn’t technology, this is magic.”
“Okay, listen. I’ve been in the business for years, I’m not that gullible.” All she does is grunt at my statement. Come on, she can’t think I’m that stupid, can she?
Oh, nevermind then. That green fire that she just made appear around her hair by whispering some word is pretty much proof. Okay, so I guess magic is a thing now. Glad that’s another thing to throw my way. Makes my surroundings a bit less impressive, because I was really wondering what painter was able to get these paintings so accurate. And I was really wondering why this damn hallway was so long.
Although as if in response to my totally justified bitching, an extremely ornate and large double doorway adorned with more jewels than even little old me has ever seen in his whole life came into sight. The doors themselves were made of what appeared to be an obsidian-diamond material. That shit is really expensive, so I can just imagine what type of people I’m dealing with here. Which makes my ex vixen’s relationship with these people all the more curious
Last time me and, oops, forgot to tell everyone her name. It’s Natalie. So last time me and Natalie(Oh shut up, I know Natalie and I is the proper way, but the way she’s been acting, she doesn’t deserve to be first.) were together, she was just the spoiled brat of a local government in the Seventh Sector. They were quickly absorbed by the Ven family not too long after I met her, but I happened to have both she and her sister with me when they were princesses. Hence my aforementioned knowledge.
That was a fun time, although my escape from that place was a lot less heated. More of a typical outrun the police, convince the border security you work for X family, and stop at the nearest bar to brag to all the people that you honestly hate. Ooo, that sounds a bit shallow doesn’t it? Hey man, I can’t help it, the looks on their faces are absolutely worth it. Even if it’s gotten me into a couple of scruffs.
So back to the story at hand, the ornate doorway that opens up to a throne room, with a surprisingly plain wooden throne, next to another, equally plain, smaller throne. They gave me a strange feeling. They was almost calling to me, and not in the I want to be in power way. More in like, everything I am supposed to be can be discovered right there kind of way. Another new feeling. Speaking of which, even that sapphire that I almost forgot I was clenching got warm being close to it.
“Oh great Wizard-Emperor, the one the blue sapphire calls for has arrived.” Really? Wizards-Emperor? Of all things you could choose, that’s it? The number one method of screaming to the world that you were a giant, ego-driven, prick? I think I could get along nicely with this guy.
Or that’s what I thought, until he hobbled his way out, from a portal that opened in between the two thrones. He gave off that pretentious, wise old man vibe. Really not the type of guy I can get along with, mainly because they judge every action I make like their some kind of moral god. But I’m pretty curious about all the stuff that’s going on, especially this me being a chosen one thing.
“So, this is the one. Hrm, I see, I see. A lot of trouble follows you, and you are a free spirit, the wide galaxy unable to hold you down. That is very good, it will help you in the journey we must give to you.” Whoah, there was a new one. Even though his voice his exactly what you would expect, I wasn’t instantly judged. I guess my outfit doesn’t look as ‘rebel’ as usual, mainly due to the fact it’s pretty torn up. But just by looking at him, I knew that this man could see all that I was. And he accepted it.
“So, can this be where I get the whole ‘here’s what’s going and and here’s your prophecy’ speech? It would be very useful.”
“You would know about that if you would ever actually listen to me!” She reeled back to slap me again, but Mr. Wizard-Emperor gave her a look that stopped her. Thanks old dude, I owe you one.
“Of course, but first, I will have the lovely Miss Natalie take you to a room I will designate as yours for the next few days. I will invite you to a private dinner with my wife and I in a few hours, and I will answer any question you may pose there.” He then turned around and stepped into the portal, leaving me along with Natalie.
“Jack, listen to me.” Alright, that’s sincerity in her voice and her demeanor, so now is where I should give her my full attention. “Meeting with The Wizard-Emperor is a great honor, but also a dangerous power play. There are many forces here, and not all of them support him. It is obvious that my liege is going to do his best to recruit you, so I will do my best to inform you.” She waved her hand, and a cylindrical, violet, stone appeared. Then, as if cutting the air, she slashed down. A portal opened, and she motioned us through it.
The room that appeared around me was absolutely dazzling. There was a nice sofa, made of fine, deep blue leather directly in front of me. Looking around, it had a, well, standard suite design. The walls were made of a metal, with a cooling blue color. To the right was a not too shabbily sized kitchen, while to the left held a queen sized bed with a window that held a stunning view of a binary star system. Turning around, there was even a T.V., with a door to a lavish bathroom on the right.
“So, would you like to tell me why the medieval wizard assembly has some such a nice, futuristic room just splashed into all the craziness?” Her sigh of disappointment really made me feel satisfied. I figured the answer is magic mumbo jumbo, but why not stress her out a bit. Make her suffer a bit, y’know.
“The rooms of the school exist in their own pocket dimension, and form to what the tenant would be most comfortable in sleeping in.”
“Oh, I get it. So I get the high life style I’ve always wanted, and you finally get to sleep in hell. Right next to that snugglebug, Satan.”
“I. Will. Literally. Murder. You.” She waved her hand again, making a fiery red stone appear this time. She then threw the blue one at me. Of course I caught it.
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“See you tomorrow.” She slashed down and left, thank god… Wait, how do I use this?
“How do I use this thing?! WAIT, COME BACK!” I knew I was yelling into nothing, sure, but maybe my distress would offer a bit of life to that dead heart. But alas, I’m just a dreamer. Slashing down with the little stone didn’t work.
“Guess that someone has to come get me, I might as well get ready.” I walk into the bathroom, closing my eyes to enhance the surprise for me. And I totally didn’t trip and fall on my face, I just get bloody noses sometimes. The surprise was pretty worth it, though. The bathtub itself was the size of a small pool, with six different faucets and eight different shower head. And the throne, oh the throne. It was truly golden!
“Everything I have ever wanted lies in this room. I see no need in my life to ever leave.” Drawing my bath, I find that the shampoo rack not only has the best shampoo for my complicated hair, but bubbles. Now, I may be a very, very manly man, but any real man would never deny a bath to be drawn with bubbles.
Sinking down in my beautiful, pink bubble filled bath, I fell asleep. And boy did I have some pleasant dreams. The first one had me being the King of Wizards, a leader who surpassed even that old man. So great was my power that the whole Galactic alliance fell under my foot! Though, the second one more heavily involved my red haired vixen. You don’t need the detail, do you.
Of course, my second dream was rudely interrupted by the sound of a person stepping through the portal.
“Hello? Mr. Jack, are you almost finished cleansing?” Ugh, can’t i just skimp off on one little dinner date, maybe push it back a day. “I implore you to hurry, we mustn’t keep our lord waiting.” I don’t like that word, our. Your is much more appropriate. I keep my mouth shut again, which is still very surprising for me.
“I just need to find some of those new clothes I was promised, and I’ll be ready.” I call out.
“Here, sir. Once again, I respectfully implore you to not dally.” A pair of nice clothes appeared next to the bath. I sigh and step out, allowing the automated drying system to dry me off almost instantly. The clothes on the floor in no way matched the decor around.
They were the same cool blue as the walls, but they were very much done in an older style, looking like a traditional wizards getup. Oh god, I have to be seen in that. I have never wanted to not do anything more in my life. If I’m seen in that, I may very well kill myself. Game over, doneso. I could try for that reincarnation thing, hopefully I built up enough karma to live a good life next time.
“Sir, please hurry.” I suppose that is a little drastic. Every great hero must suffer before they come out on top. Here goes everything.
----
The robe was actually surprisingly comfortable, and didn’t look as bad from this angle. That being said, I’m going to avoid mirrors, but not being itchy is a definite plus. It’s time to go and meet the old dude, and get some damn answers. Although, at this point, I’ll take just about anything.
I walk out to see the impatient man who has been pestering me. He looked young, and was very pale. He wasn’t quite to the point of scrawny, but you could tell that lifting was a foreign concept. Beyond that, however, he was very pristine, with everything from his hair to his nails being perfectly trimmed. I strained to see a wrinkle, but not there wasn’t even one. It was kind of weird honestly.
“Thank you sire, now let’s get going.” Pulling out a gold colored stone, he cut the air like everyone else did. We stepped through the portal, one after the other, and we entered into another overdone room. It was a huge banquet hall, with a glass chandelier that enveloped the ceiling, and a long table that looked as if it could seat around forty. The only places that were set up however, were three seats at one end of the table. The old man was sitting down, and next to him was, well, a gorgeous girl.
“Welcome dear, this is our banquet hall where we enjoy our company. I believe you have already met my husband, Alfonse. I am Delia.” Delia was the hot one, apparently the spouse of the old man. This left some downright appalling thoughts of her gorgeous hourglass physique against his old frame. I need to clear my head, because these thoughts are not okay. But, me being with that long, blonde haired beauty, now that's a right thought.
I didn’t even notice her approach me, motioning to give her a hug. Well, since she’s offering. You can bet that I made every second of it count. We pulled away, and I figured it was time to acknowledge the old man. I walked up to him, and gave him one of my signature, win them over smiles and a firm handshake.
“I’m glad you came, Jack. We have a lot to discuss, and I’m sure you are very curious. So, before we eat, ask me what you feel you need to know.” Oh wow, anything? Cause I can think of a couple of things I need to know, but I don’t think you’d like to hear sir. I guess I’ll just ask the standard questions. Sigh, what a conformist.
“Well, first off, what is magic? How does it work and why haven’t I seen it anywhere before?”
“That is a good first question, although a bit complicated to answer. First off, magic is a type of energy, an energy that people cannot create. It has very wonderful effects, some that you’ve already seen. It has the ability to affect the fundamental ways that particles work, and change reality. It is a bit more complicated in the specifics, so I think that explanation will suffice currently. The reason you do not see it used is because of the need of a magical item to manipulate it, and these items can only be made here. Due to the potency of magic, we try to hide our use of it and very rarely is it ever used outside of this planet.”
“So what gives you guys the right to be the magic police force?” Oh, he didn’t like that one at all, considering how his face dropped from its smile at that. It was only for a second, but years in the industry will teach you to pick up on things.
“Well, this right is bestowed upon us due to the sun you saw upon your arrival. While what you saw was an illusion, outside of these walls is a purple sun. It is the source of all magic in the galaxy, and we suspect the universe.”
“What’s this castle thing about?”
“It is my personal castle, one that has been in my family for years.”
“And is this where I’m to be staying and learning my chosen one things? And speaking of, elaborate on that please.”
“To the first question, no, you will not be studying here. We will send you to the school of magic, which is hosted on its own continent just a few hundred miles south of here. You will learn more tomorrow. On the topic of the chosen one, it is very complicated. But at its core, you are supposed to keep balance. That sun I spoke of, with every moment that passes by, it becomes slightly more unstable. Soon, it has been predicted it will explode, and this explosion could possibly wipe out the universe. The prophecy has foretold, however, that whoever that blue sapphire calls for, will be the one to permanently balance out the sun’s power.”
Alright, whoah. That’s… Well, a whole hell of a lot to take in. Talk about information dump. I blink a few times, in an attempt to let it sink in. The hero shtick usually have pretty big ramifications, but this is the universe here. That’s a hell of a lot of pressure. Of course this asshole would dump the quest on me.