As night approaches, I find myself staring up into the ceiling of Thallion’s living room, where I have been sleeping since I left Kidman’s place. Listening, I hear the gentle crackle of the fire, with not even the tick of a watch to lull me to sleep. Rolling over to face the fire, I stare at it, slowly losing focus as my mind wanders off and face warms. I have upset the balance of this world just by being here. I have proven myself to be worth keeping through knowledge and hopefully can remain hidden here for a while. The villagers do not know me, and no one else wearing red armour has come for me.
I just have to be careful. Knowledge is power, and fractions of the knowledge I yield has collapsed empires, and also documents their collapse too. I have only shown them the positive, but I must brace for the negative to come. Hopefully I don’t have to go deep into that, but just offer the knowledge that is sought. They are curious, just like humanity. They too must have bit the apple, getting the knowledge of good and evil. Hopefully they will focus more on the good than the evil.
Whatever I do, I must approach with caution, and act more like an old crazed wizard, rather than a power hungry god who wishes to turn the world into their plaything.
The loss of my work phone is not much of one to me, as it was just a phone, with no special apps, but if they ever reverse engineer it, that thing has more power than what was used to land on the moon!
…
I wonder if they have a moon? Being out for a few days has really messed with my perception of time, and trying to get the generator working has distracted me from learning about this world. I’ll need to ask more about that.
…
Just even how was I summoned? The tech level here is late medieval, early renaissance at best, but somehow they managed to pull me here? How far has the research tree diverged from home meaning they get piezoelectric microphones before DC power?
As these thoughts churn through my head, Thallion walks into the room, nursing his right arm by the fire. I quickly shut my eyes, pretending to be asleep. Shortly after, Lena comes in from the school room as well, holding the translator.
“You doing ok? You seem to be walking a bit stiff, and you are holding your wrist again,” Lena asks.
Thallion nods back, saying something, but due to the fact that Lena is holding the translator, I cannot understand. He seems to be gesturing to his arm, and then nodding towards the window.
“I’ll go check on that after, just get some rest,” Lena adds in, resting her arm on Thallion’s shoulder
Thallion stands up excitedly, his eyes lighting up with a spark of hope. He gestures animatedly, looking towards me with a mix of anticipation and concern. He animatedly exclaims something, getting the far off look of long term hope in his eyes. Looking down at his wrist again, he mumbles forlornly and hunches over as if recalling sad past events.
“That’s all well and good, but if you are too cramped up or too dead, then you cannot document it any further.”
Thallion grins and waves to his sister.
As both depart to their separate rooms, I fall asleep, somewhat restless but overall, more relaxed as I have had a mild break from what has occurred.
-----
The next morning dawns brightly, with the cool air seeping in and the smell of the dying fire filling the room. I wake up, and poke the coals a few times, hoping to spark enough life in it to reignite the fire. I add some birch bark like material, along with some small sticks to try and get it going again, but no luck. As I start rummaging around for matches, or flint, Lena enters the room, wearing her nightgown.
“You must be cold, I am freezing, let’s get this fire going” she states with a mild chatter, leaning into the fireplace and placing her left hand on the tinder pile I made, clutching the translator in her right.
“Good start making the base of fire, looks like you know more than you let on,” she offers a slight smirk, as she sparks with her palm the tinder and it lights up.
“There we go, that should not take long to warm this place now that we got it going again.” Heading over to the stove, she does the same thing, igniting the fire within.
She sits down at the table, so I join her, expecting her to give me my phone back.
Instead, she begins to talk. “So you are definitely not from here, and probably not even of this realm. I don’t know why you are here, but there are a few things to know. Today is Restora, the day of rest and restoration. For this reason, we are going to not work on the generator, and come up with a plan to work on it again this week, as Thallion needs to get back to teaching, and Silvra needs to work again as well.
I will give back your phone, but if I see the image that looks like where you get the info from, I am taking it back. Deal?”
I contemplate for a moment, unsure what I would do with an entire day of rest to myself, but I will need the phone if I am to spend the day not trapped in my head. Reflecting on this again, this is like a kid and parent talking about tech use, laughing slightly, I nod my head in agreement.
“Good to see that you are in higher spirits than normal, here you go,” she states while passing the phone.
“Now, we usually have a service in the morning, and since you want to keep up appearances, I suggest you attend. It might even help if you talk to God and see what He thinks of your predicament”
“Okay…”
“What, is something wrong”
“Just that where I am from, we have our own beliefs, I’ll come but, just anxious. I have no clue how far I am from home, and whether or not I am even in the same “realm” or universe or what. I don’t know of my relationship with higher powers here, or even if they accept me, or consider me a blight on their creation”
“Just try. God is loving, and especially since you were not the one to do it, even if he saw you as trespassing, he would probably blame the one that pulled you, rather than you”
Well that’s somewhat comforting, I think to myself. Considering all that has occurred, as long as I don’t burst into flame crossing the threshold, I should be ok.
As we get ready to leave, Thallion joins us and we arrive outside the temple? Church? Place of worship. Thallion and Lena enter in immediately, while I hesitate. I say a silent prayer and step across the threshold, not feeling on fire, I look around, and see the traditional layout of a place of worship, with pews/benches facing the front where an ornate stand is placed.
I freeze. Right at the front of the building, is a cross. Not as in math or multiplication, but a Christian cross, bare and visible to all. Originally planning to sit at the back of the building, which I now know is a church, I eagerly run over to Lena and Thallion.
“What’s wrong?” THallion whispers in a hushed tone, “I have not seen you this excited since we got the translator to work for you.”
“You… you’re Christian?!” I announce, only realizing that the church is quite quiet after I speak.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“Yes…” Lena replies, apprehensively and in a loud whisper. “Also, keep it down, this is a day of rest, re creation, and recreation, not of yelling.”
“Yes, but…”
“No buts, just jump up here and sit. Hopefully some questions will be answered. We’re about to start”
After sitting for a few minutes, some people come out of the back, most dressed in robes, while one is wearing a towel across their shoulders. Everyone stands, so I stand too, only to be unable to see above the back of the pew.
I look to Lena, and Thallion, who quickly look at me and just shrug. Guess standing on the pew is not allowed for kids.
“Please be seated” a deep but friendly voice states.
I sit down, trying to calm my thoughts as common elements of a church service are laid before me.
What sounds at first like otherworldly music begins to play, only for me to realise the sound of 70s synths and loops with a large live choir singing to it. I don’t recognize the music but the tones similar to an organ crossed with an electric piano greet my ears and offer a sense of sameness, while also being unique.
As the service continues, the familiarity of the Christian elements—the hymns, the prayers—gives me a strange comfort, a link back to my world amidst the alien surroundings.
As the pastor begins to speak, his voice is soothing, recounting stories of faith and resilience of Jesus, whilst different than the scripture passages I know, share the same lines of love, compassion, healing and forgiveness offered by God. I space out, reflecting on my own journey, feeling an unexpected kinship with these people who, despite our differences and deviating histories, share a faith that transcends worlds.
At the height of the sermon, the pastor states “and so, one and all, wherever you gather in Jesus name, he is with you, you are not alone. Live and love one another, not as the world loves, that of fleeting and temporary, but as God loves, unconditional and beyond understanding.”
With the revelation that their core belief follows that of God’s and Jesus’ love, I feel relieved. A sense of infinite calm settles over me like a warm embrace, and I shiver slightly as his words sink in.
As we leave the church, a few other villagers approach and talk to Thallion. Thallion states that they found me at the school one morning and seeing that I have nowhere to go, took me in.
Something about having a family but in a Thallion way is mentioned, but I get too far to hear it.
A few other families look at me strangely, and then continue walking, but nothing out of the ordinary for being new.
Suddenly I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder, and remembering what happened last time, I drop to a crouch and turn around, seeing that it is the pastor.
“Whoa. Easy there child.” His baritone voice rumbling, ”Just wanted to check in on you as you seemed to have responded strongly to entering into God’s place. I just wanted to make sure everything is alright, especially since we have not seen you here before. And that you are using a translator as well”
“I...I…” I stammer. “I am well. Just a little overwhelmed seeing the faith this far from home.”
“Ah. I see…” He continues calmly, crouching down to my level and helping me stand back up. “You were the one that arrived a couple weeks back. Good to see you up and about. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Hopefully everything is going well?”
“Yes. Everything is going well, considering what has happened.”
“Just remember, don’t fret, take it to the Lord in prayer”
“I will.”
As he moves on to other members, Thallion and Lena approach, both looking a little tired. I nod towards the exit and they agree. We grab our coats and head out, back to the school house.
On the way, Lena speaks, “So, I take it that went well?”
“You have no idea. My faith is in the same God, with the saviour of Jesus and the sustenance of the Holy Spirit nurturing the world. When God created the heavens and the earth, we got the focus of the earth. Other places exist too! Be it the same realm or universe, it is the same God. I am not alone!”
Lena looks at me blankly. Thallion speaks up, “There is lots to unpack there. Let’s head inside first”
Heading in, Thallion quickly assembles a basic meal of bread and cured meat, and we begin to discuss.
“So your day, Restora, is similar to Sunday for me. Both involve stopping and reflecting on God’s love for people and what the relationship between God, others and nature is. God made himself known through Jesus, who was killed to take the sins of the people, and he rose later restoring our life. He then sent the spirit to aid and to guide until he returns in final victory. The names of the disciples and the empire are different, but the main line is the same. In short, your God is my God!”
They both look at me funny, and then Lena speaks. “That is probably the shortest summary of Christianity I’ve heard, but it does work! This connection that you have made by being here, under the same Universal Creator means that no matter what, we are one in the spirit. One Creator, one Redeemer, and one Sustainer, all in one, for all, not just here, or around the world, but others as well.”
“Yes!” I exclaim, reaching for another piece of bread.
“I really need to write this down!” Thallion projects, “but from all the writing, my wrist hurts too much, and I should be resting it!”
“Calm down Thal” Lena replies, “just warm it in some water, and write at your own pace. In the meantime, I need to go on a walk outside.”
“Can I come?” I ask, trying not to do puppy dog eyes.
Lena stares disdainfully for a bit, but finally “Fine, but no talking, just walking”
“Sure”
-----
After a few minutes, we head out, and walk towards the river. Eventually, Lena stops and leans against a tree, staring at the water. I find a nearby tree, and do the same, feeling the older sunbaked snow crunch under my feet as I sink in much farther than she does.
We just stand there, staring at the water, watching it swirl and tumble along. Listening to the faint breeze rattle the trees, and the light glisten off both fallen snow and the turbulent waters.
Eventually Lena talks. “Ever since you arrived, my faith has weakened, as you are living proof that there is something beyond here, be it future, past, vast distances, or even other planes of existence. Yet, you just confirmed that God is not just God of the world, but of at least the universe. My faith is not for naught. There is something that made the connection work to bring you here. I have no clue what or why they wanted you, but there now is a reason for hope again, that everything is not just one big mistake. Thank you for hope”
We sit in silence once again. After a very comfortable amount of time passe from listening to the silence of winter, I respond “Where I am from, there are many religions, it is just amazing that the one I follow is here, and quite similar to contemporary as well”
“We have many religions too, but this is the first time any statement of offworld religion has occurred! We are not alone, and while different, we at least have the same creator watching over us.”
The silence stretches between us, filled with the quiet murmurs of the river and the occasional rustle of the wind through the trees. Lena’s words resonate deeply within me. Hope—a simple yet profound gift, bridging the gap between our worlds.
I look up at the sky, wondering if the same God I prayed to back home is listening here. It’s a comforting thought, the idea that, despite the vastness of the universe, there’s a divine presence connecting us all.
“We should head back,” Lena says softly, breaking the silence. “It’s getting colder.”
I nod, and we begin our walk back to the schoolhouse. The crunch of the snow beneath our feet is the only sound accompanying us. As we walk, I think about the journey ahead—both the practical steps of repairing the generator and the deeper, more personal journey of understanding my place in this world.
When we arrive back at the schoolhouse, Thallion is sitting at the table, a small bowl of warm water beside him. He’s gently soaking his wrist, looking more relaxed than I’ve seen him in days. He looks up as we enter, a smile spreading across his face.
“Feeling better?” Lena asks, taking off her coat and hanging it by the door.
“Much,” Thallion replies, flexing his fingers. “The warmth helps.”
I sit down at the table, pulling out my phone and turning it on. The screen lights up, and I navigate to the notes app, ready to jot down my thoughts and plans for the days ahead. Lena sits across from me, watching with curiosity and ensuring I don’t open offline Wikipedia.
“You know,” she begins, “there’s something comforting about God. He’s like a bridge between our worlds. Even though the narrative is slightly different, it shows that we’re not so separate after all.”
I nod in agreement. “It’s a reminder that, no matter how far apart we are, there are always connections to be made. Understanding to be shared.”
As night falls, I find myself staring into the flames once again, but this time with a heart a little lighter, a spirit a little more at peace. This day of rest and reflection has given me not just a pause from the chaos but a renewed sense of purpose and hope.
I close my eyes, whispering a silent prayer of gratitude and strength for the journey ahead. No matter the challenges, I am not alone. I have Thallion and Lena, this newfound family, and a faith that transcends worlds.
In this strange, wonderful place, I’ve found something that feels like home.