In the annals of history echoed many names of heroes and villains alike who had indelibly left their mark on the world, each of them garnering riches and power kingdoms sought after, yet so few lasted long enough to enjoy the fruits of their labor, be it the good or evil.

I sat on my throne, so uncomfortable, which was beyond a miracle Hanbeck could conjure. this chair's abilty to make me feel made it perhaps the most valuable artifact in the entire universe, though I doubt anyone except Vaeryn would agree. I sat at the peak of knowledge, skill, and power, yet I spent most of my time watching insignificant–comparatively–beings. I peered across my domain and I saw long-dead gods, and alongside them, I saw the heroes who had changed the world forever, they all sat in leisure.

I looked further and saw the city which I had crafted for the aimless, they acted without purpose, merely going through the motions. It broke my heart that even with all my power I was unable to give them the struggle they had in life, they enjoyed what they could before they went numb, nothing to challenge them, their minds stagnated and failed. I looked further, and I saw the villains, who I did not despise, but punished anyway; They would sit, no spark in their eyes, they had perhaps the worst fate of all, nothing, they had no city, no interaction, merely an endless colorless plane, I do not know why I condemned them to this fate, perhaps it was to erase their transgressions.

I blinked–a technical impossibility–and looked through the eyes of my heralds, they were tasked with guiding the dead here and removing them from the mortal world. I watched them and their countless iterations guide those from the tyrannical Count of Markiss, to an innocent child, a victim of sickness. I blinked my eyes once more, before I stared into the darkest reflection of myself I recalled the knowledge the eldritch gods had imparted onto me.

“There is no returning, but if it was you, perhaps it might be possible. Nonetheless, We warn you, the between is not to be acknowledged while not in a realm, it changes, it is more than infinite and less than nothing, it is… Beyond,” it took its strange version of a breath and continued “We are not the peak, We are beyond you, yet you can crush most of Us as if We were mortal. You were made stronger, this realm is at the very least an anomaly, but so are We… If We cannot comprehend the between when not protected by the veils. Then that means something else is… Beyond. Be careful, every realm is made different, down to its very core.”

I would first have to observe, and to do so I would have to peer directly into the only part of myself I did not comprehend, it was where the erased and gone resided, It terrified me. I looked at my wife for comfort, she had died so long ago and was losing her spark, something that took much longer for gods, but happened nonetheless. I looked into the divine realm and took note of my daughter idly watching four mortals who had caught my interest prior, and I steeled myself, there would be no more stagnation. I looked into the Sarr, the place where my soul was laid bare against itself, I looked at the creatures which inhabited it, giant corpses, puppets for the chaos between realms, and I gazed into the abyss.

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This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Nicholas had never been talented, be it athletics or academics, Nicholas was average. Nicholas was of average height with an average build, the only things, Nicholas might say, not average about Nicholas were the Raven Black hair his mother had given him, and the piercing blue eyes his father had given him--these features of course, were not average--but if you were to take all blue eyes and raven black hair, then Nicholas’ would be the most average.

Nicholas of course had no grand aspirations, Nicholas knew he could not be a Pinnacle, and he would not fool himself into thinking he could be a Paragon, to do so would be to stand at the top of the world, and Nicholas’ was average, nothing exceptional. No, even Nicholas’ aspirations were average, he wanted to inherit his parents' farm and get married, maybe have a child or two, it would always be helpful to have an extra set of hands around the farm Nicholas would say. However–somewhat unfortunately for Nicholas–his parents were hopeful, stubborn, and well-meaning, the absolute antithesis to Nicholas’ hopes and dreams. So every month or two he would be forced to apprentice in some other trade, from shepherding--which he did enjoy--, and hunting--which was an activity he rather liked, even despite it's dangers--, to blacksmithing--which he was quite fond of--, and swordsmanship--which he did somewhat enjoy--, but despite it all, in these things he was, at best, average.

Nicholas’ did, however, hold one outlandish hope in his heart, Magic, Mages were some of the most influential and respected figures in the world, be it the Arch-wizards who commanded unfathomable power from their solitary towers, or the druids who drew power out from the land around them, Nicholas had met a few mages, more than once a Druid had stopped by and grown a seasons’ worth of crops in hours without ruining the land it was grown on. There were Clerics who came by a few times every year to ensure that the village was safe and free of disease, healing the sick with a simple wave of their hand. Wizards would stop by to gather resources or to rest, but most notably, when Nicholas was a young boy there had been a goblin horde attacking the village, a single wizard had ended the attack in less than a minute, then that same wizard had created a magical barrier around the village to deter monsters, which still stood a decade later. Alas, Nicholas had never shown any talent for magic. Which, of course, was why today was sure to be a grand disappointment.

There stood a wizard whose red skin crackled against the cold air; Slightly taller than Nicholas himself, but infinitely more commanding in his presence. The wizard’s eyes crinkled with joy as he came to the front of the stage in the village center. The village was listening, “I am so incredibly pleased to be here,” he paused “My entire life I have strived to be in the position I am today. I am a wizard, and much like all of you, I was born in a village, smaller than this one even. I discovered my talent for magic at a young age,” He lifted his hand and conjured an orb of light. “And I have had a very long time to learn, but it was through sheer luck I was discovered and taken in. Many people who have the potential to change the world, never get the chance to do so.” He grabbed the light as it went out. “Which is why, after many years of deliberation from my colleagues, we have started the Grand Outlook Initiative, in the next twenty years any youth over the age of fifteen can apply to standard magical education, which will include one year of free education and lodging for the duration,” he paused. “However, said facilities are still being constructed, laws are being passed, and paperwork is being approved.” The teens in the village grumbled with disappointment.

“Then why are you telling us this?” someone asked.

“Because, in twenty years opportunity comes and goes, which is why every single youth over fifteen years of age in this village will be receiving a tome with instructions on how to start learning, I will come back in one year’s time; Anyone who manages to learn one first level spell will be granted entrance into Verum.” He announced.

With every word Nicholas’ heart beat faster, and his eyes grew wider, he wouldn’t have to hope for a merchant selling some book, he had a shot, a real shot at this, Hope swelled up in his chest, he could do it, he might just be able to do it.

“I wish you the best of luck, vitam tuam carpe. Fatum tuum non est dominus tuus.” He said.

Nicholas held the book in his hands–deposited by magical constructs–and opened it.