Chapter 2

"My name is Esmeralda Elizabeth Montgomery and I, alongside my husband Edward Montgomery the third are the monarchs of Terra." Esmeralda intoned.

I was in a state of shock, the entire world had changed, everyone I knew was dead. I was alone.

It was all too much, I started crying. I felt a weight settle of the bed next to me and arms wrap around my upper body. I leant into the body and kept crying. The memory of my friends and family running through my head, the workers who were always friendly at the local shops, it was remarkable the people that I realised I would miss.

I smelt vanilla and cinnamon spreading from the body next to me, the scents calming my mind slowly.

I have no idea how long we stayed like that, Esmeralda holding me reminded me so much of the strength and warmth I remembered feeling from my own mother.

"I'm sorry, this is all too much...I don't know how to process it. But I do feel better now, thank you, Esmeralda." I suddenly blurted.

That dazzling smile reappeared on her face, this time without the magic to go along with it. She was beautiful in a way that made you want to worship her, an almost aura of light spilled from her.

As I looked away from her, I finally noticed Sully had left at some point. I kind of hoped he had left before I cried so hard, I prefer to only cry in front of those close to me.

"Please Cain, call me Essie. I hope my magic has helped you, I happen to have an affinity with Light and Air that has some ability to calm a troubled mind." She answered.

"Can you explain this Magic to me? How did it come about?" I asked her.

“We truly don’t know, the records from back then are very messy. The explosion of mana wiped out all methods of power that didn’t rely on mana. It took months before scientists around the world managed to figure out how to convert technology to manatech, as we now call it. What we do know is there was a lot of death as people fought over resources and the wildlife evolved into Manabeasts.” Essie explained.

“Wait, manabeasts? that’s wild. so there are magic monsters in the world now?” I interrupted.

“They are a little more serious than that but that is the gist…”

As Essie went to continue answering the door flew open and a large man flowed into the room, I would love to say he walked but that doesn’t grasp the grace with which he walked. He was over 6’ tall, with golden blonde hair and trimmed beard and rugged features that made him look like he spent a lot of time outside. He wore loose cotton clothes that had an odd sheen to them and large boots.

“Have you told him yet? We need to make sure that he follows the story the public was told.” the man snapped out in a concerned voice.

“No dear, I was getting around to that, he’s a boy lost in time that needs the help we can give him. I was explaining to him what has changed in this world while he was lost in time.” Essie answered.

She turned back to me before continuing.

“Cain, I would like to introduce you to my dear husband Edward Montgomery, King of Terra and it’s allied worlds,” she stated like it was simple.

Once again, Essie unveiled news that was beyond my comprehension.

“Allied Worlds?” I asked incredulously.

“Yes, allied worlds, the introduction of mana into our universe was the final key to the human race being able to spread across the galaxy. The ships are made from metal fabricated by those with Earth and Fire affinities and the ships can be flown by anyone but only those with the rare space or void affinities can actually teleport the ships through Space.” Essie, once again giving me enough information to shock me.

I had so many questions boiling through my head but wasn’t sure where to start, I looked down at my body to realise I also wasn’t wearing anything other than underwear. My sudden realisation washed all thought other than getting dressed out of my mind.

“Hey, so as much as I am loving this information, can you both leave for a minute so I can get dressed?” I asked while feeling my cheeks get warmer.

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“Hahahaha the boy only just realised, this is great.” Edward roared with laughter, bending at his waist.

“Edward, shush. We’re sorry Cain, your old clothes were ruined. You can find a change of clothes in the dresser to your right.” Essie admonished her husband but I could see a slight tilt to her lips.

The pair left and I finally got a good look around the room. Naturally, I snooped around, looking through the door near me, it led into a bathroom that looked exactly the same as I would expect to see, once again in white. The dresser that Essie pointed out was in a slight alcove that included a mirror.

I looked at my body, I looked somewhere close to 6’ tall, with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes that held slight wrinkles at their corners, they were the eyes of someone who laughed easily and well, I didn’t know if I was still that person. I was skinny with a small amount of wiry muscle, honestly a little too skinny for my tastes. I looked at my face and could barely recognise the person I saw, even my face was gaunt like I hadn’t had a real meal in months.

I turned away from my reflection and opened the dresser, finding a plain navy blue cotton t-shirt and a pair of pants that looked like jeans but were way too soft. Putting them both on was probably the most comfortable I have ever felt in clothes, they truly felt like they were floating on my body. I just wondered if this was the standard quality of clothes in this age or just because my hosts were the most powerful people on Earth...I mean Terra, gonna take me a while to get into that habit.

I found a pair of socks in a drawer to put on as well, I didn’t feel like walking around barefoot.

Now that I was completely dressed, I walked through the door that Edward and Essie were left through, finding myself in a lounge room. There was another two doors in the room, one that naturally led outside of this area and another that I wasn’t sure about.

There were three couches spread in a U shape around a coffee table, Edward and Essie were sitting together on the opposite side to me and the couch to my left was also occupied. I watched the King and Queen for a moment as I crossed the room, they truly looked like a pair in love. I would put them at around thirty to forty but they still acted as they had only just fallen in love.

I got to the couch before I focused on the other teenager on the lounge. He was short and skinny, with black hair and black eyes. I would have been intimidated by him if I didn’t recognise the smile of mischief on his face, it was just like some of my old friends when they were planning something both stupid and fun. I sent a grin his way before looking back towards Essie and Edward.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the mystery teen grin back. The pair on the other couch clearly caught the interaction and were pleased about it.

“Cain, this is much you still need to learn about our world but there is no time for that. News of you appearing in a secret government facility has spread too far, we can’t have anyone find out the truth about you though. If anyone finds out that you are from the past, there will be very dangerous people after you so we have come up with a cover story and a plan for your future.” Edward started before being cut off by Essie.

“Edward, you will scare him! Cain, this is my nephew Mason, he has been training to become a Royal Guard in the future. Unfortunately, I have been recently informed that he isn’t suitable for that life..”

A laugh interrupted Essie’s sentence, Mason received a good-natured glare before she continued talking like she hadn’t been interrupted.

“Instead of all of his training is kept in house with tutors we have decided to send him to Sendonia Academy across the ocean in the former United States of America, it’s one of the most prestigious academies in the world. We have decided to send you with him as it will be safer not being seen around us.” Essie explained.

“I will trust you both, you could have thrown me in a cell or done who knows what to me...but you have been so nice! I don’t know how to thank you.” I responded, maybe worshipping this woman that was akin to a god as far as my life was concerned.

“It’s fine Cain, we are just sad we can’t have you stay here for longer, we have already caught multiple spies trying to find out the details of you already. This was the only way we could think to keep you safe at the same time as watching over you. This way, you and Mason can be friends that met on the way to the Academy, which gives us an excuse to have you accompany him back here during the breaks.” Edward explained.

“We will leave you two to get acquainted.” Edward and Essie left.

I looked over at Mason, who looked back at me. We just stared at each other for a moment before we both started laughing.

“I just know there is a story as to why you are essentially getting exiled from the country?” I asked.

“Well, let’s just say that the Captain of the Royal Guards doesn’t appreciate my sense of humour, or that a baby Manabeast was let loose in his office.” Mason chortled.

“You didn’t?!” I laughed with him.

“Oh before I forget, Aunt Essie gave me this for you,” Mason said as he threw something at me.

I caught it to see it was a wristband with a black gem embedded into it. I looked at Mason with a raised eyebrow.

“Latest communication device, you can call or message but its primary feature is to check your affinities and their strength. I realise you haven’t been awakened yet but that will happen sooner or later.” Mason explained.

I was eager at the thought of being able to use Magic and wanted to be “Awoken” as soon as possible.

“When will that happen? I can’t wait to find out what my affinities are!” I near burst with eagerness.

Mason let out a chuckle before answering me.

“You sounds just like me a few months ago, don’t worry about being behind, it’s something everyone goes through once they turn sixteen. We just have to visit the church on the weekend. My aunt and uncle will escort you to a private session with the High Priest, telling anyone that sees us that it will be for me.” Mason explained.

I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next.

*

On a planet covered in mana so thick it had turned into mist, hidden away from the rest of the universe, three fully cloaked figures sat around a table.

The men were silent, clearly waiting for something. It was hours later when the door to the room finally opened, screams could be heard in the background. They were cut off once the door was closed, having the room fall back into silence.

The newest addition to the room sat down at the table, he was the only one that wasn't wearing a cloak but his entire figure was covered in shadows.

"I see the conversions are stagnating, I hope this doesn't mean there are issues?" He asked the others.

"Rest assured Lord Shadow, there are no issues with showing these candidates the Truth. Some are just more resistant than others." One of the figures answered.

"Lord Deus is correct Lord Shadow, the better question is why you called this meeting. You have interrupted plans that Lord Mist and I have in motion." Another interjected while motioning to the final member of the table.

"Good point Lord Flux, you will all want to know this though...There has been a development in the Pit of Origin, I have received a report that a boy appeared in the middle of the facility there. Apparently he was of age yet had zero sign on mana anywhere on or in his body." Lord Shadow explained.

"How?! That should be impossible, that entire facility is covered in anti-teleport wards and protected by the Royal guards."Lord Deus snapped out.

"That is the question my friends, that is the question. The impossible child one might say. This child needs to be investigated.” Lord Shadow declared.

“Agreed!” Lord Mist shouted.

“Well it would appear this meeting won’t ruin our plans after all Lord Mist, we will just be changing the original plan into a diversion for the kidnapping of this intriguing child.” Lord Flux explained.

“I will advise you to be careful fellow Lords, he is being protected by the Royals and Sullivan. My information network can only stretch so far.” Lord Shadow warned.

“We shall see.” was the only response.