(Joe's house, 11 AM)

Mike gasped as he sat up straight as a rod, breathing heavily as though he'd been jolted awake. He was in Joe's bed, he realized. It was late morning if the light streaming into the room was any indication. He could hear voices outside his room, then the door swung open and Joe rushed in.

"Mike! You're up! How are you doing? You okay?" Joe pressed.

"Joe, slow down. Mike just woke up. Sweetie, are you alright?" Mrs. Frake asked Mike, stepping into the room with Emma, Joe's sister, trailing behind her.

Mike felt somewhat bewildered by them. "I'm alright, thanks. Though, why am I in Joe's..." he trailed off as the memory of the voice and the pain slammed back into his mind, coupled with a notable lack of any memory thereafter. He was perplexed to say the least, although thankfully, the memory wasn't accompanied by any pain.

"Are you remembering?" Joe said with concern, "Dude, your scream woke up the whole house, my dad even got out his gun and thought we were being robbed. You were convulsing for a few minutes before you just stopped! I've never seen anything like that in my life." Joe sounded almost impressed.

"Yes, well, we would have taken you to the hospital, if it hadn't been for the aliens," said Mrs. Frake in annoyance, crossing her arms. "Luckily you were okay it seems, though your Aunt was thoroughly shaken, she's cancelled her trip and is returning home. Along with just about the rest of the world." she sighed shaking her head.

...

Mike blinked at her. There were certain phrases one didn't simply utter out of the blue. Chief among them were offhandedly remarking about the inconvenience of aliens halting a trip to the hospital.

Mike was sure he misheard and glanced at Joe. His brows furrowed, "Aliens?"

Joe folded his arms and nodded solemnly across from Mike, leaning against his cupboard as if it were perfectly reasonable. "Aliens."

"But Mike was asleep, so he didn't hear." Emma piped up standing next to her mom.

"Hear what?" Mike was feeling really lost.

"The Livari, dude, they were in all of our heads." Joe said excitedly.

Mike was becoming concerned. This must have been the most lucid dream he'd ever had, no wonder he felt so weird, that freaky voice in his head must have done something to him. "Okay, I'm out, this dream is over. Bye!" Mike closed his eyes and pinched himself hard.

It hurt.

Mike's eyes blinked open as Joe snorted in laughter.

"Joe!" Mrs. Frake admonished.

"What? I've never seen Mike do that before, it's hilarious! Plus, he doesn't believe us." Joe said to his mom, Mary. He turned to Mike, "This is the coolest day in history! You should see the internet right now, the world's gone crazy! There are like, a million interviews happening with so many people, all the presidents were kidnapped, and there are literally aliens flying around, some even spoke to some important people and stuff, it's..."

"Enough, Joe." said Mary firmly, "Poor Mike just woke up and you're bombarding him." she chided Joe. "Mike, are you hungry?" she said to Mike sweetly, who was wide-eyed and mystified at the revelation that this wasn't some fancy dream. He was hungry though...

He nodded dumbly

"Alright then, I think we should order some takeout and tell you what happened while you were asleep. First, though, go take a shower and change, then we can explain everything we know. Joe, give Mike some space, come on." she said walking out the room with Emma trailing behind.

Mike looked at Joe who sighed and rolled his eyes before pushing off his cupboard and following her. "Better do as she says," he said conspiratorially, handing Mike his phone. "She looks calm, but we're all a little stressed, and it's best you know what's going on. Get your phone charged so long, it's dead. See you in a bit." He walked out with an excited smile, leaving Mike to stare after them.

What. The. HELL?!?

Mike's shower went by in a blur.

This has to be a sick prank of some kind. I mean I don't mind, but still...

As he toweled off and went to Joe's room to get dressed, he switched on his phone and got dressed. After his phone came to its senses, he saw a whole host of things he didn't understand. He had forty-two missed calls from Aunt Lauren, and 5 from Uncle Ray, and a veritable heap of messages from both of them as they tried ineffectually to get hold of him.

That'll teach me not to charge my phone...Wait, how did they know what happened? Only the Frakes were here last night, but these messages are from this morning around the same time...

A brief scroll through social media proved Joe's mutterings to be right; it was an eruption of activity. There were none of the usual narcissistic selfies or badly made comedy skits, instead, it was a never-ending cycle of 'Aliens have invaded', 'Are we gonna die?', and tearful 'I'm scared' videos amongst others. He had no idea what was going on, but the Frakes said they did.

How are they so calm? Most people must be freaking out right now, but they're treating it like it's the most normal thing in the world. He mused as he pulled his shirt on before finding Joe and the others.

It wasn't long before he stepped into the kitchen, smelling toasted sandwiches and an assortment of bacon, scrambled eggs, and sausages. It was almost enough to distract him from what he'd just seen on his phone.

"Mike, grab a plate and pile it up, then we'll tell you what we know. I'd also appreciate it if you told me exactly what happened to you this morning," Mary said reassuringly, "and from what Joe tells me, yesterday as well." she said with a knowing glance at Mike, who paused halfway through grabbing three slices of bacon.

So Joe told her. Well, I guess it's understandable, I did freak out in the middle of the house and pass out.

He grabbed his brunch and sat down.

"So, it started almost right after you screamed." Mary began.

* * * * *

La'ar

After the Announcement, several things occurred.

First, for a moment, not a soul on Earth said a word.

Second, the world's leaders were all rather unceremoniously teleported away from their various locations.

Third, just as the animal instinct of fight or flight within every human being began to kick in, a Word was spoken that saved humanity from itself.

"Peace"

The word rang throughout every mind, as clear as a tolling bell, and with absolute authority over a world formerly without magic. None resisted. True peace, for the first time in thousands of years, was felt across Earth.

This too, affected the leaders of every nation, who were deposited without any guards in individual alcoves along a grand circular hall. Normally in such cases, La'ar was sure panic would ensue, and a veritable stampede of over a hundred people would commence. However, they were instead calmly aware that they had been teleported to a strange place, and that it was certainly not an everyday occurrence.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Before the leaders emerged from their alcoves, they were each greeted by a bald Society attendant, who saw to their needs, making them presentable for the discussions ahead. Everything had been planned out for decades before, and it showed.

As La'ar waited for the leaders, he couldn't help but appreciate the artistry that had gone into the meeting place. It was wise of the Livari to create a control sample of humanity to serve as guidance for the throngs of new Attuned that would inevitably arrive in the coming weeks.

The Society had been busy.

To say their Grand Hall was spectacular would be a disservice. Great spiraling chandeliers of crystal glittered along the intricately adorned ceiling, where a colossal fresco depicted a scene that would be quite unfamiliar to the newly arrived guests. The floors themselves looked to have similar sights as the ceiling, though it was as if clear marble had been cast over the floor, and not a single foot had tread it since. The walls were interspersed with flowing wood and stone carvings, giving an impression of relentless waves smashing against a great cliff face. There were optical illusions ingrained into them as well, making them almost seem moving and alive.

But the center was his favorite fixture. In the middle of the hall was what could only be described as a scene straight out of nature, but upside down. A slow-motion, spiraling reverse waterfall gushed out of stone, defying gravity, with fish swimming around inside it. It was surrounded by trees and brush of all sorts, hanging from what looked to be a circular forest floor. Along the edge of the scene, light was beaming 'down' toward the small pool on the roof.

And right there, reclining in the middle of the forest...ceiling, was La'ar.

As he watched the leaders gradually emerge into the hall, he was grateful he wouldn't be facing hostile and fearful brutes, but rather placid and composed people. La'ar knew what Peace entailed. The various leaders, whilst unable to be alarmed or fearful of their situation, were still fully cognizant and aware of what was at stake. One was not simply summoned out of thin air by an alien race, offered hospitality, and gently convinced to play along nicely without understanding, to some degree, the gravity of the situation.

Donned one and all in brand new attire with the assistance of their attendants, they were met by the sights of the grand hall in all its glory.

Each of the leaders was encouraged to approach the center of the room. La'ar watched on in curiosity as each leader reached the edge of the dais and exclaimed as they began to float upwards.

As they drifted upwards, it was as if 'gravity' began to pull them toward the ceiling, and their bodies were oriented to land perfectly upright as their feet touched down. La'ar knew this was the first time every world leader was gathered together in one place in humanity's history.

On a forest floor.

On the roof of a building.

All eyes focused on a small-statured, green, strange-looking man now standing to greet them.

"Welcome, leaders of Earth." he gestured with arms spread wide, "My name is La'ar Vitae. Please, get comfortable, that we might begin our deliberations." He gestured around him. The gathered leaders all realized that they were each being told to recline on what looked like a one-armed couch made of moss, all their own. As they warily took their seats on their surprisingly comfortable lectus, a truly elegant spectacle unfolded.

Vast plates of food, elegant glasses of exotically colored liquids, and miniature bowls of little eats all floated gently towards all of the guests in a mesmerizing dance, somehow never colliding, though there were too many dishes to count.

It was all trivial magic to La'ar and an integral part of being a Cultivator. His job was to facilitate a smooth path towards peace and coexistence between the Livari and various other races, a skill he'd honed over countless years.

He'd naturally looked into the history and cultures of Earth and found an oddly fitting practice that an ancient group of humans called the 'Persians' had adopted. It was almost too similar to the way the Livari deliberated. First, you ate, drank, and generally had a swell time, then began deliberations on whichever important and pressing matter needed a decision. If whatever decision made whilst drunk, was again agreed to later once sober, the motion was passed. That would be the nature of the current meeting.

La'ar plucked a dainty-looking cocktail glass as it floated past him. "A 'toast', dear leaders. Eat and drink to your heart's content, for this is a celebration! Before you all stands the opportunity to join a galaxy so much greater than you ever imagined. I am your Livari representative, and your host for our talks. We do indeed have much to discuss, and we will, but first, we dine and revel together. To the future!" he cheered.

Each leader had a glass deposited in their hands at one point or another during the toast, and though a modicum of caution caused them to look around at each other. However, without any fears to restrain them, in the end, they all raised their glasses, and toasted with La'ar to the future, and the night began in earnest.

Now is the most delicate part, La'ar thought, as he flitted around the forest clearing to groups of different leaders, greeting one and all by name, being as charming as he could muster. He could see Peace begin to wane as the liquor took effect, and any lingering stiffness in the leaders drained out, being replaced with a heady buzz, and a contentedness seldom felt by many.

He alighted onto his raised lectus crossing his legs in a meditative pose, and the small clearing grew quiet. They all had some idea that something was about to happen. They had questions after all, and He certainly had answers.

"Before we discuss," he began, voice loud enough to be heard by all, "I want to impress something upon you all." He waved his hand, and an image appeared with La'ar in the middle of it. "This," he said solemnly, "is the Livari's greatest enemy."

The image was a three-dimensional recreation of a chilling scene. There was a battle being fought in the image, with various aliens all facing what looked to be a wall of...darkness. Every alien, with Livari interspersed between them in battle regalia, was exerting themselves in what looked to be desperation. Upon further examination, it seemed that the wall was...wait.

A shiver of dread ran through every spine present before the image disappeared and La'ar began again, whilst his hands began rapid movements. "We have no interest in enslaving, usurping, or ruling this world. In fact, the thought itself is ludicrous to our sensibilities. Whilst we may look somewhat like you, we are in actuality very different. What we face, is this." he stated, finishing with his hands clasped, before straining them apart, with what looked like a tear in the rift of existence between them. What stunned them the most was what emerged from the rift.

Nausea filled every gut as a feeling of wrongness screamed into every hindbrain present. What the leaders of Earth did not know, was that the lingering effects of Peace were the only thing keeping them from reverting to animal instincts and fleeing what was before them. Peering out at them from La'ar's hands was a horror made real. What looked at them all simultaneously was...

"A violation. A gruesome, twisted creature that gnaws at the very sensibilities of your mind. This one is quite common, in fact." he said, almost offhandedly. "Yet this single creature, could gut your world and you would have no way of stopping it." he spoke more sternly than he had the entire evening. "Make no mistake, the Livari have protected you for eons from this, and much worse. The Subversion is no plaything." He said as the rift he had opened began to close around the creature. It began to struggle, and an unheard demented cry of rage screamed into every mind. It became more and more frantic, growing unbearable until La'ar finally split the creature in two, causing its wailing to cease, before it was sucked into the remainder of the rift, and everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.

La'ar remained cross-legged on his lectus, closing the rift, and letting his hands rest in his lap. "Do you all comprehend what we face? It is not for conquest, but for your assistance that we have come. So now that you understand that our intentions are steeped in truth, shall we begin?"

Every eye turned to their fellows around them, as an unspoken acknowledgment was shared between every member of the room, not as nation heads alone, but for the first time, also as human beings.

"Sir La'ar," the American president spoke up, his voice somehow enhanced, and with the ability to be understood by all, thanks to an unseen spell. "I think I speak for everyone here in one capacity or another when I say, we're flattered you've come to request our aid, but how could we possibly help you when just one of you can do all...this?" he gestured around him, emphasizing the fact that they were still deliberating upside down. Murmurs and nods of agreement followed the statement as every man and woman gathered knew deep down that they were quite literally at the mercy of their self-proclaimed benefactor.

And there it is. La'ar thought, The beginning of what I pray will be our salvation. No turning back now Luminary, I hope you're right about this, for all our sakes.

La'ar smiled, "That, my good sir, is an excellent question."

* * * * *

After relaying to Mary what had happened with the voice in his head and all the pain, she showed Mike some of the important videos circulating online. Mike looked at Mary and Joe in disbelief as she'd shown him the news reels. So many announcements were being made, and so much breaking news had been shared even news outlets were having a tough time keeping up. Everyone was acting so...calm at first. It was sort of unnatural, but as time went by, people began to react somewhat normally again, and as expected, began to panic. But then, just as it seemed that full-blown mayhem was about to ensue, the world leaders reappeared, safe and sound, and a public announcement had been made in every country in the world.

"Every single country is complying? Just like that? How? Half of them can't agree on seating arrangements at their dinner parties, let alone 'Let's all unanimously vote to become vassals of an alien race we met a few hours ago.' Make that make sense!" Mike felt like the cruelest joke was being played on him, as he seriously wondered if he'd died and maybe woken up in an alternate reality...

"I promise we aren't lying to you Mike," said Mary, "Trust me, I would never lie to you about something like this, how would I even begin to make something like this up?"

"Mike, it's no joke," Joe replied, "I felt it myself, I was super calm, and I didn't even get to properly freak out before I was totally calm. Like, I knew it was weird and strange, and an earth-shattering event, but I just wasn't scared. Also, man, think about it, an alien race arrives at your doorstep in a spaceship, floats down through space without even a suit to speak of, talks to every single human in their head, somehow forces you to be calm, kidnaps you and every other world leader, does who-knows-what to you, then pops you back out, and you don't think anyone with at least a bit of sense wouldn't be like, 'I guess we should say yes to the super strong aliens, that could probably kill us all in the blink of an eye, while we have the chance.'" Joe said in a singsong tone. "It makes perfect sense."

Mike folded his arms. He didn't like that Joe was being snarky about it, but they had a point. Mike hadn't been awake for any of it, so it had felt like he's fallen asleep in one world, and woken up in another. "Well, not to be that guy, but I'd like to see it for myself before I just blindly..."

Wait...

What...is that? Mike thought as he now stared straight ahead of himself.

There, in the center of his vision, a tiny pale blue dot had just appeared.

"Guys, I think I'm seeing something," he said cautiously. "There's a dot in the middle of my vision."

Joe looked in the direction Mike was looking, then back at him, "Mike, you sure it's not the window?" he asked skeptically.

Mike moved his head from side to side, still looking like he was focusing on something in front of his face. "Do windows have blue dots that move with you wherever you look?" he began swatting at the air in front of him as he stood up from the couch.

Suddenly, words popped into his vision, prompting him to yelp and stagger back onto the couch unceremoniously. "What the...there's words in front of me!" he exclaimed, looking at Joe.

Joe looked at Mike with both eyebrows raised, "Okay Mike, breathe, what do you see?" Mary and Emma looked at him with some concern.

"It says..." Then it dawned on Mike, this was... "the same thing that voice said to me in my head. Welcome Michael, of the Chosen" he stared at the words before they changed. "You have been selected as one of your planet's Attuned." he read out loud. "You are uniquely suited to receive magical abilities and take part in the Quest. Should you choose to accept, you will receive special status and exemptions within society, as well as be afforded many benefits for your service."

"Dude, wait, are you saying..." the words had scarcely left Joe's mouth before Mike interrupted.

"Do I have a System Interface!?" Mike gaped, still staring at the floating words ahead of him.

"You've just been offered magic, and you're wowed by a system interface!?" Joe asked with a slightly strained voice.

Mike continued oblivious to the outburst, "To ensure you understand the terms and conditions of your station, a comprehensive guide has been attached outlining your terms of service, the afforded benefits, and all other applicable information. You have thirty-one days to make a decision." Mike finished dumbly

A small countdown meter showing [30 D, 23 H, 59 M] appeared in the upper-right corner of his vision.

"Ummm, guys?" Mike asked, seeing bewildered faces around him "What the hell is going on?"