Dear Reader,

  I'm just going to get this out of the way right now and say that I am fully aware of how cliché my next words are going to be, but they really need to be said:

  This is not a fictional story.

  I know, I know, you're thinking "okay right, I haven't heard that line as an introduction to every other realistic fantasy story ever," but I'm being dead serious right now, I swear.

  Now, we both know you likely don't really believe me on this, even if you say you do, because I'm not stupid and neither are you, but I'm morally obligated to warn you about this before you read further, because I was in your position before any of this took place. Honestly, it might be safer for you to not believe me, stop reading this, and just go on with your regular life. In fact, I encourage you to do that if you have even an inkling of common sense.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  However, I know a lot of you are just as curious as I am, and will continue reading anyway. That's why you chose this story over all the others, right? You're fascinated by this stuff, or you're looking for an adventure, or maybe just an escape from real life.

  So was I.

  I'm going to recount the events of the summer as best as I can for those of you who, despite everything, still think it's a good idea to continue reading. To keep things authentic, I'm going to include some old journal entries I wrote at the time. Obviously, I won't remember every conversation word for word, so I can't be 100% accurate with those, but I'll get as close as I can to reality while keeping the boring stuff to a minimum.

  After all, you're here for an adventure, right?

Good luck,

  Cody Greenwood