Jaiyno opened his eyes and found himself within a grand white room once more, much to his dismay. In front of him, that grandmotherly old lady looked at him with a smile, as always.
Jaiyno frowned.
"Did I die again?"
The old lady, sat on her chair, was silent for a moment before answering his question. She seemed to be knitting some kind of shirt.
"No, no, I just came to say hello. Did you really think I would leave you to fend for yourself in a strange world?"
Jaiyno sighed with relief before responding to her.
"Kinda, I really didn't have time to think about it."
The old lady nodded as she set her half-knitted shirt to the side.
"That is understandable, but you must know that I will never leave you. I will be watching you every step of the way. We will save this world together."
Jaiyno felt touched and smiled back at her.
"Of course. So every time I fall asleep, you'll be able to talk to me?"
She shook her head at Jaiyno once more.
"No, unfortunately not. It requires much power to sustain communication like this. Divine power doesn't grow on trees."
Jaiyno's face fell, slightly disappointed.
"Oh . . . well, why did you call me here then?"
Jaiyno assumed that it was important, considering that communication between them would be limited. The old lady waved her hand, spreading a cloud of golden dust in between them. It glittered and shone, quickly dissolving into the air, leaving a small portal behind. Through this portal, Jaiyno saw a city with a huge river flowing directly down its center. On that river, multiple boats floated by, pulled on by sea monsters.
Many pathways bridged themselves across this river without any supports, arching high with steep angles so that the boats could pass beneath them. Jaiyno suspected the involvement of magic. The bridges weren't the only strange phenomenon that Jaiyno saw. Above the city, winged creatures carried cargo, some small as pigeons, while others stood at three or four stories high. They perched on floating platforms before taking off again, leaving whatever they had behind. These platforms then which then took said cargo down into the city, disappearing from Jaiyno's sight.
The city had two land entrances, located in the east and south, and two river entrances in the north and south. These east and west gates were completely blocked off with a solid stone wall, however, Jaiyno saw a flash of light whenever someone got close to it. That same person would then reappear on the other side.
Teleportation magic? Just what can this world not do?
Jaiyno began to realize that in many ways, this world was ahead of Earth. The old lady watched, just as Jaiyno did, yet had a completely different expression. While Jaiyno felt wonder at every little thing this city had, the old lady simply watched with a sad expression. She sighed and spoke after a moment.
"I wish I could feel such marvelous wonder as you but . . . the horrors of this city are not hidden to my eyes."
Jaiyno looked away from the city and his bright expression began to fade, replaced by one of dread.
"Horrors?"
The old lady simply waved her hand, and the image Jaiyno saw changed. Now they were at ground level, somewhere near the west gate. Every few seconds, a flash of light would illuminate the city, accompanied by someone in chains, each dressed in ripped rags.
Jaiyno's expression soured, similar to the old ladies.
Slaves . . .
Each of them had disheveled hair and dirty bodies. Scars seemed to be plentiful as well, sprouting up here and there on their bodies like weeds in a garden.
Jaiyno felt his dread hit him in full force. The chained people slowly marched forwards while hunched over, clearly not happy in any manner. Anytime one of them marched too slow . . .
"Get moving you, Damn human! Move!"
One girl fell to her knees as she was whipped by a skinny tall blonde man. The crack of the whip rang out into the air, accompanied by the stifled grunt that the girl gave off. The girl got up and moved on, clearly in pain.
Jaiyno noticed something, however. All the other slaves had eyes like dead fish. They had all given up, but she hadn't. Her eyes were clear and focused. Jaiyno could feel his heart pound as he stared at her, not out of love, but out of the connection.
Please, someone . . . help me.
He could feel her very soul crying out at this injustice.
Jaiyno could feel her pain . . .
her desires . . .
her willpower . . .
Everything.
Just like her, Jaiyno became focused. All the wondrous things about the city fell to the back of his mind as one desire dominated Jaiyno's soul. Without turning to the old lady, Jaiyno spoke in an uncharacteristically calm, monotone voice.
"What can I do to help them?"
The old lady nodded, now knowing for sure that Jaiyno was serious about this world and it's problems, just as she was. She pointed at his chest, where a glowing circle had appeared.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
"Trust your instincts. Find them and liberate them. This is my first request for you, Jaiyno. Liberate the slaves of that city, no matter the cost."
Jaiyno nodded. The very center of his pupils had grown to be golden as his divine power responded to his emotions. Even though he had never handled it before, Jaiyno's soul was strong. He could easily fit enough power inside his soul to break a boulder clean in half. He had barely just started his journey, and he had already approached superhuman. . .
However, Jaiyno's god still worried. One person could rival Jaiyno's strength.
"I'm ready, send me back."
The old lady beckoned Jaiyno to sit down, as he had stood up in his eagerness.
"Sit down and calm yourself. There is someone guarding that city . . . and she is mighty indeed. Be on your highest guard, and no matter what happens, remember that these people need you. I will not lie to you, Jaiyno. Death is not a far-fetched idea."
A normal person would feel fear at the mention of death, however, Jaiyno only hesitated for a moment. Jaiyno muttered to the old lady as his world went dark.
"It's fine . . . I've already died once."
The world went completely dark as Jaiyno's soul returned to the physical world.
----------------------------------------
Jaiyno fell from the tree, landing on both of his feet silently. He opened his eyes and saw the midnight world clear as day. His eyes flashed golden as divine power coursed through his veins. For a moment, Jaiyno hesitated, unsure of what to do. However, he only hesitated for only a moment. The god's words echoed inside his head.
Trust your instincts.
Jaiyno closed his eyes and pictures Bylis.
Jaiyno closed his eyes and pictured that girl.
Jaiyno took a long, deep inhale. He felt his chest expand and then opened his eyes. In front of him, a trail of golden light continued onwards, leading out into beyond. Jaiyno felt his divine power slowly tug him forwards towards his desires. His emotions wielded his divine might for him.
Jaiyno began to run, slowly a first. He could feel every step shake his body as he got used to the divine power dwelling inside him.
After a moment, Jaiyno began to accelerate, quickly reaching a full sprint without trouble.
By sunrise, the walls of Bylis became visible to him. Bylis had been over 40 miles away from his starting position.
----------------------------------------
Natpe Heml was a name that brought terror to all of Bylis, however, it was not the only name she was known by.
Iron Fist Natpe.
Slaughterer of 1000 Natpe.
Destroyer of buffets Natpe . . .
That last one was not something she was proud of.
Despite all her conquests, she was bored. She remembered her glory days, leading the second legion of the Athymnosian Empire across its boundaries and into human territory, however, that was over 200 years ago. The current Emperor had tasked her with defending Bylis, the most important city the Athymnosian empire had. It was vital to trade, as well as guarding the Seine River, which flowed directly from the Athymnosian capital. If Bylis was lost, the naval power of Athymnosian would collapse.
Tsk, even so . . . this is utterly boring beyond a doubt.
Natpe sat upon her throne inside Bylis with her hand holding her chin, and her leg crossed over the other. Her bright golden hair, a symbol of her pureblood status fell all the way down past her shoulders and to her hips. Her green eyes seemed to see through people easily, and her sharp features left no doubt.
She was a pure-blooded Athymnosian Elf.
Natpe closed her eyes, listening to the distant sounds of Bylis. The crash of the waves, creaking of planks, stone on stone, the talk of the people, all of the sounds came to her, no matter how far. However, one sound was closer than the others.
Her ears twitched as she honed in on the sound, quickly realizing that a soldier was sprinting to her chamber with haste. Natpe opened her eyes as a brown-haired elf knelt at her feet.
"My lady! A monster has appeared at the gates!"
Natpe turned her head, completely uninterested.
"Then deal with it."
The man looked appalled by her complete disregard of his plea.
"My lady, it has-!"
Natpe quickly opened her eyes as the sounds of the monster reached her ears. A screeching like no other, one she recognized instantly. Natpe sat up, silencing the man as he was speaking.
How did that dragon escape?
"Leave this place and spread the word."
Gravity seemed to increase 100 fold for the man, who quickly left without a word. Natpe bloodlust was too much for him. Natpe sat up and began to walk out into her city. The marble floor connected with her shoes with a clicking sound. As she pushed the door of her palace open, she saw it.
A Redtailed dragon had escaped its magic-suppressive restraints and was rampaging in the city. Natpe looked at it, and for a moment, grinned.
It's strange that you escaped . . . but I am thankful. Something to do, after all this time.
Natpe's figure blurred as she accelerated past what any normal human on earth could do. The air screamed as she passed by, creating a gust as she raced into the city. Leaves and debris were blown into the air, and people closed their eyes as she passed.
Natpe perched on top of a church spire, high up above the air. The dragon roared below her, causing Natpe's ears to ring. Soldiers fired arrows, yet they only bounced off its crimson scales skin.
Then, its white claws flashed like dull lightning, cutting down a dozen elven warriors who had gotten too close. It then spewed out a bright red flame, quickly covering the surrounding area with a napalm-like substance. The smell of burning flesh assaulted her nose.
Tsk . . . how annoying.
Natpe pointed her finger at the beast's eyes and spoke out an incantation in the divine language.
"First form, Mana Sphere."
The first spell that any beginner magician would learn, weak in power and effect.
However . . . all spells vary on the caster.
Like a beam of light, the mana bullet easily broke the sound barrier, and exploded onto the dragon's right eye, causing to roar out in pain. The dragon flared out its wings in self-defense, covering its eyes from another attack. Natpe grinned sadistically.
"First form, Mana Sphere . . . Tenfold."
Ten mana spheres formed into the air and fell down upon the dragon, throwing up a huge plume of smoke.
Is it dead already? That's no fun- oh never mind!
Natpe quickly dropped down to the ground as a hot fireball exploded where she had once been. The spire she had been seated on quickly collapsed into the church behind her. Natpe frowned as she gazed at the rubble with disdain, before turning to face the dragon.
"That was my favorite place to relax you know. How inconsiderate of you."
The dragon snarled at her, bearing its yellow teeth, stained with the blood of fallen elven warriors. Natpe felt her anger grow, and become serious. A jet-black rapier appeared in her hand, seemingly sucking the light from the surroundings. For all the warriors surrounding the dragon, gravity seemed to increase as Natpe strutted forwards.
"Begone. It's mine."
Just like that, they all backed off. No one was stupid enough to disobey her.
Within minutes, the great dragon with crimson scales harder than diamond had been slain.
That great dragon that sat near the top of the food chain was dealt with in mere minutes.
Natpe Heml was quite the scary woman and for good reason.