CHAPTER 19- I GOT A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS.
"… So let us refocus on our dilemma; The Arch-demons have started crossing over physically into Krei and they have started inciting havoc upon the civilizations of the world." Shiva says and gestures to the table where a 3D representation of the planet Krei is now floating while rotating slowly over its own axis.
"Whoa! Real life holograms! Sweet!" I say and hurry over to inspect the planet I am now inhabiting. "So where exactly is Raz situated on the planet?" I ask curiously.
A moment later, a red dot lights up about 20 degrees north of the equator on a decently sized content. It is situated slightly to the north of the center of the continent, between a desert that engulfs most of the central part and a mountain chain to the north of the continent. To the west is a gigantic forest and to the east there are mostly open flatlands, as far as I can tell.
"Now, focus. The Arch-demons have started amassing an army here;" Shiv says and points towards a smaller continent to the east of the continent I am currently on. "The inhabitants of this planet have yet to discover that there are other continents, so it currently has no name; but let's just call it demon land for now for simplicity."
Huh…So they haven't gone exploring the oceans yet? Hey, wait a minute… "Wait, what is the continent we're currently on called then?" I ask curiously.
Raising an eyebrow at me, she gives me a look. "Well, I believe it would be called Krei; since that is what they call this world. It will, however, most likely change when they realise that there are other continents and civilizations around the planet." She says and gestures towards the demon land continent. "But rather than that, we need to stop the demons from amassing a true army; else I fear most of the worlds civilizations will be in danger of being annihilated by the rampaging monster hoards."
… Great. All that's left is a demon lord I have to set out to defeat. …Wait, I hope that's not a thing here... "Uhh, don't tell me there is a demon lord behind it all; and we need a hero to go and defeat him?" I ask tentatively.
Break out in a shit eating grin, Shiva beams at me. "Oh aren't you a clever one!" She says while chuckling.
Only to turn serious once again a few moments later. "Seriously though; No. Currently, there exists no demon lord, and there hasn't been one for hundred of thousands of years; so I think you can be reasonably assured that needing a hero to defeat the demon lord won't be necessary."
"Great. 'Cause I sure as hell wasn't going to go on a crusade to defeat him; Just so we're clear." I say as I walk back to my chair and plop down on the incredibly comfy chair.
Her smile turning into a wide grin, she looks at me with shining deep ocean colored eyes that are filled with mischief. "Oh no, I have much better tasks that I wish to assign you…" she says and trails off at the end, sending a shiver down my spine as my mind drags up all the unpleasant things she may be implying.
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Unnerved by the options my mind is coming up with, I decide that it is time to get gone before I get assigned something I really don't want to do. "Uhh right, we're done here right? And it's getting rather late, right?; So I recon I better get going then." I say as I scramble to get up from the chair.
Putting a finger to her lips, she takes a pondering stance for a moment. "Yes, I believe I have given sufficient information; now I just need to set you on your task." She says and grins at me. "My command it this: You are to go to the leaders of the different nations and explain our current plight; as my Chosen."
"Wait a minu…" I try to refute her declaration, but am interrupted by a blinding light suddenly erupting from my body. The light is deep ocean blue and I can feel it entering my body; a cold and icy feeling rushing into my body and settling deep in my very bones. The chilling cold in my body slowly fades as the currents of energy focus all its potency in my bones. As the last of the energy settles, a rune is etched unto my left hand as energy channels form from my bones and work their way towards my left hand.
Once the rune is connected to all of my bones and the icy energy resting within, the chill starts fading slowly.
Drawing a shuddering breath, I notice frost forms in the air as I exhale the unsteady breath. "God damnit!" I swear at her as I try to calm my shaky breath and shivering body. "Tell me before you pull that kind of shit!" I say and wrap my arms around myself as I try to warm myself up from the magical cold. "And don't I get a say in things? I don't want to be your champion, or whatever; I just want to be left alone so I can live my life and eventually go home again. Is that too much to ask for?!" I snap irritably at her.
Shrugging, Shiva shows no remorse. "You are the only outworlder currently on the planet. And I can't interfere directly with the inhabitants of my world, it is forbidden." She says and she gives me a level gaze. "Like it or not, you are the only one I can actually communicate and pass a message on to. Just giving my blessing to people won't do anything to address the situation."
Sighing, I can't refute her logic, if what she says is indeed true. "So, what, I go around to the different leaders and spread the word about the demons amassing an super army on a different continent; and then I'm done, free to do whatever the hell I want?" I ask her wearily.
Nodding with a neutral race, Shiva replies with a simple "Yes".
"Ok then, fine." I say wearily. "I'll tell them and then I'm done." I say. But then I realize a pretty huge problem that will quickly arise. "Uhh… how am I supposed to prove that I'm not just some lunatic preaching doom and gloom? And how am I even supposed to meet the kings and... presidents? Are they presidents? Whatever; rulers! I seriously doubt I can just walk right in and get an audience with the rulers of countries."
Chuckling at me, she gestures towards my left arm; specifically the rune on the back of my hand. "You now bear the mark of being my Chosen. You are now my voice in the world; few are the fools who dare to slight the voice of Gods and goddesses." She says solemnly. "If you just show that mark, you will be given an audience with all who worship us Gods; be careful around the unfaithful ones though… They may react, uhm.. poorly, if they learn you are a Chosen. "Says and gives me a meaningful look. "Wouldn't want you strung up on a cross, now would we?"
Shaking my head in a negatory, I say enthusiastically: "No no, I really, really wouldn't like that."
Nodding seriously, Shiva waves her hand and a... portal, for lack of a better word, springs into being next to her. "Well then, I wish you luck on your journey. Oh, and I look forward to the next time we meet, you may want to dress up a bit more for next time though" She says as she gives my attire a critical look. "Oh, and do try to not bleed all over my things next time, would you?" She says and giggles.
"I'll see what I can do." I reply non-committedly while utterly ignoring her last remark, and walk past Shiva and up to the portal: "I sure hope it will be a long time before I find myself back here again…" I mumble quietly as I step into the portal.
END OF CHAPTER 19