"
"
A bright and white light flew into his eyes, momentarily blinding them. Upon becoming adjusted, however, he noted his surrounding had become engulfed in a bright yellow stream of energy. Beyond the stream were pinpoints of distant lights, whereas before him was a great world which reminded him of his own world called Earth. It even had a few continents which were the shape of the lands claimed by his race, but were also pushed close together.
This reminded his mind of what Archaeologists and Geologists of his world claimed that the continents of their world were, at one point, just one land. That which was before his eyes was of such a reminder, but his mind could not place what the super continent was called. 'Well, no matter,' his mental self grinned, pushing aside the call for vengeance against the unknown in order to view the beauty before himself.
'Onward! To Adventure,' and promptly giggled to himself, whilst not paying attention to the fire which sparked into existence upon the soles of his feet.
*****
High above the castle within the city of New Wair were a gathering of dark and foreboding clouds. All of which swirled around the castle, but more specifically, around the cathedral next to it. For within the space were the chantings and prayings of Priests and Mages alike, each sending forth their energies to summon into being a Hero to deliver them from the Demon scourge which waylaid their city and nation.
During the entire preceding, the sounds of battle within the city had wafted into their air space, and a few did turn their hearts and minds towards such sounds, but promptly focused upon their task after a stern voice commanded, "Almost there, lads. Keep going, and soon we shall be done with the Demons."
This voice came from a pair of twins that were most notable for being the youngest ambassadors ever employed by the Human monarchy. What is more, the pair stood out wherever they went, all due to two factors. Their clothing and their charm.
The latter can be brushed off as a prerequisite to becoming a diplomat. For the need of a silver tongue was of the highest priority, whereas having the looks to back such a tongue was always a bonus.
As for their apparel? Both wore only one colour each, which shouldn't cause too much of a stir, correct? Well, that is unless you were the pair. For example, one of the twins had shoulder length hair of snow white in colour, whilst the other had short hair of spiked crimson. The both of them wore the opposite's colour of their hair, which meant the crimson haired twin wore garments of snow white whilst the latter had a crimson attire. What is more, the pair were a Mage and a Priest with the twin of snow white hair as the Priest and the other as the Mage.
Quite confusing, to be fair, but they make do with what they have.
Outside, however, the battle was faring poor towards the Humans, as the conscripts had fallen to sword, claw, and spell whilst the knights rallied together for a suicidal charge. Unfortunately for themselves, they were all blasted into bits and pieces of warped iron and flesh as something else entered the scene.
Of which came in the guise of a Draconian of red scales, wearing only a bronze cuirass over its chest whilst a kilt of leather adorned with the bones and skulls of many a Human decorated the sides. Upon its scaled head, however, was a crown of horns which jutted along the sides and curved themselves into an S configuration along the scaled head.
This one stood at a height of three and a half metres, with bulging muscles as well as a breath of bright red-orange flames which appeared and vanished with every breath. The claws upon its scaled hands, though covered in gore from the Humans that dared to challenge its rights of conquest, were far superior as bones than the hardest iron every conceived from the forges of Man.
Whereupon it did hiss greatly, directing half its forces to siege the cathedral whilst the rest charged into the castle. Of which contained many non-combatants that soon shrieked with pain and fright as the Demons rend and tore their flesh asunder. Those who ventured to siege the cathedral, however, were immediately blown backwards to where this large Draconian stood with contempt for the living. Here, such minions were stepped over as it did spy a feminine figure standing in front of a group of a dozen fearful knights.
"Ah, Guinevere," hissed the red scaled Draconian as it stepped on the body of a dark green scaled minion. Where it did squeal as its life was squashed due to the clawed foot which was pressed down upon it broke through the scales, muscle, and bone. Once inside its body, the claws found purchase with the minion's heart, and promptly tore it to shreds. Thereby ensuring its death to create the mood between Human and Demon. Of which stated that the red scale did not care about its minions, and had no problem sending everything at those before it.
"My Lord will reward this one if it were to bring back your mangled body," its voice trailed off into a hissing fit of laughter, but was immediately cut off when the swirling mass of clouds parted to reveal a pillar of light which uplifted the spirits of the Humans.
"Look," called out one of the knights, pointing towards the centre of the pillar, of which contained a speck of a person within, "Our prayers have been answered! A Hero has been summoned!" Whereupon the rest of the knights became joyous, cheering the coming of their saviour, whereas their queen only frowned. For she spied the Draconian chant something in its native language.
Here, she turned to bark at the revelry her soldiers had created, but was almost immediately hushed as a great wind slammed the cadre into the cathedral itself. Not only were they affected by such winds, but the Demons themselves as well. For within the area which once held the red scale, now stood a quadrupedal, red scaled dragon of ten metres in length. Which then stretched itself tall by rearing back upon its hind legs, stretching forth a pair of blood-red wings, and roared with great might as the clouds above darkened whilst rumbling in response.
The man within the light turned towards such a creature just as the pillar slowed his body so that he would not become paste within the spell circle drawn by the mages and priests within the cathedral. Of which allowed him to watch everything unfold as though he were nothing more than a spectator of a play. One where he would remain as such, if not for the fact that there was a large dragon head in front of his body. Not to mention the fact that its maw was opened wide and he was given access to view the churning flames from within.
Of which was breathed out and upon the summoned man from another world. One whose mind could not comprehend the situation, and was only able to utter the words, "That is so cool," from his mouth before his entirety was engulfed in orange-red flames.
*****
"
"What the fuck is going on?" she called out, and was given a prompt reply in the form of a stream of words.
Each of which repeated the same string in a repeated fashion of, "
"What do you mean you can't fucking find him?" she screamed over the "Errors" voiced by the System within her space, and was responded with a repetitious video of the man from Earth being bathed in Dragon Fire before vanishing on the spot. No. He did not become ash, but vanished in his entirety with not even a trace of him left behind.
"Where. Did. He. Go?" the girl ground her teeth as she witnessed what had transpired for the eighth time, "
Upon so saying, the blaring lights and sounds vanished, leaving the monotonous voice to reply with, "
"Ugh," she groaned heavily, flopping onto her table with a huff, "So annoying."
*****
Back upon the world called Earth, the man's household awoke to a roaring fire and the screams of pain he exuded. For the flames of the Dragon he had witnessed held enough magickal energies to sever his link to that world. Thereby sending him back to his own, but not without a going away present.
As for the household? They quickly rushed with only a few panicking upon noting the flames had engulf the being who was considered as a Wordsmith upon their world. However, these were quickly ordered to find something to put out the flames, or call for medical assistances. These then rushed away, leaving a pair of males to use a chemical compound of cold white foam to smother the flames. Unfortunately for themselves, such a fire would not be easily tamed. As such, the man's left arm was devoured in the process, allowing all before him to witness the action whilst the rest of his body sagged or continued to be cooked.
This would continue, even as another brought in a pale of dirt to be dumped upon the man's roasted flesh, but would only be able to smother the flames. That is, however, until a group of heavily padded personages appeared before them, shoving them away as they plied the same cold foam upon his body. However, even though it was of the same chemical compound, what the others did not have was an ample supply of it. Therefore, much of the area within the man's home was coated in the foam, but lucky for them, the fire was now out.
*
The man's, the Wordsmith's, consciousness faded in and out as he caught snippets of words here and there as the world around him moved. Unfortunately for himself, he could neither see nor speak, but what he could hear was nothing short of frightening.
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"What's the situation?" called out a gruff, male voice as the man felt something brush over his body, but it was a distant and fleeting feeling.
"Caucasian male, two hundred and two centimetres, heavily burnt whilst in his home," replied another before the voices faded away.
Upon his return to consciousness, he felt exceedingly cold. Of which was an odd feeling, for his memory told him that such high burns would deaden his senses completely. So how could he feel cold? This query plagued his mind for the remainder of his time awake, and soon faded away with nary an answer.
"I'm sorry Mrs. ***," came the soft voice of another being, one which was feminine to the man's hearing, but was unable to place whether or not it was a male's or female's, "but your son is in a lot of pain, and we're not even sure if he'll make it. We've had to put him into a coma, and-"
"And nothing," cried out a soprano voice of a female the man was familiar with. Of whom appeared to be under a great amount of stress, even crying whilst trying to speak, "He's our son, even if he can't speak or see."
'Oh,' drawled his tired mind, 'So that's why I feel so light. Good to know.'
"Hey," cried out another's voice, one that was a strained and distraught tone that could no doubt be the Wordsmith's brother, "He's awake!"
"That shouldn't be possible," murmured the one speaking to his mother, before vanishing from his senses.
"***," called out another voice, one that was also tired and strained, matching the same tone as his brother's, "Are you okay? Can you hear us?"
"***, can't you see he's not okay? They said eighty percent of his body was burnt, and nearly all of it is third degree burns," came the muffled and cracked voice of his mother.
'Heh,' grinned his mental self, 'That's a death sentence if I ever heard of one.'
"[But wouldst thou wish to die?]" came a voice which wafted through his mental ears, one that was neither male, nor female, but it was not the same one which tortured his body the last time he was awake.
'Ah, I must be going crazy. Then again, I'm a dead man, so it's not all bad.' Once again, the mental visage of the man grinned as he tried to turn his attention back towards the material world, but found only frantic voices which grew distant with every breath.
'So this is what it feels like to die, huh? Not too bad,' and would have slowly give into that which was pulling his essence away, but found it blocked by something unknown, 'Hey, do you mind? I'd like to rest now.'
"[But wouldst thou not desire for adventure upon another world?]" came the unknown voice which appeared similar to the one that tortured his body, but was not.
'Maybe?' was his reply, as he did not feel anything towards that other world which sent him to his death. Rather, he was still curious, but sleeping for an age was more tantalising than anything else at this point. However, he still had to ask, 'Why?'
"[Why what?]" The voice seemed to be holding back its gaiety, but he caught it rather quickly.
'Why bother with me, when I desire to sleep beneath an oak tree for an age before moving on with whatever I have left?'
"[Why indeed,]" chortled the voice, "[Maybe thou hast garnered my attention, or perhaps thy and thine own reaction was not to bow and scrape and beg for thine own life after thou hast clearly expired. Perhaps thou art of many a mystery, and I am of curious folk. Who is to say?]"
The man's mental self sighed with great exasperation, whereas the other continued to chortle. Then again, although he was curious as to why he was chosen, knew he would gain nothing if he continued to press for details against this "curious" creature. Therefore, he asked, 'What do you gain from my supposed resurrection?'
Whereas the other breathed in a great bout of air, if such a thing existed where they currently were, before replying with, "[Entertainment.]"
'Hah?' The man could not understand what had occurred, or if he had heard the word spoken from this unknown being, 'What do you mean by "Entertainment"?'
"[Tis exactly as I hath spoken of. Thou wouldst provide my eyes with entertainment within the land of the living.]"
'What sort of entertainment?'
"[Any sort, so long as thou givest me access to thine own sight and the rights to view everything which hath progressed throughout your day.]"
No. The man did not comprehend what was spoken, even if the words were archaic in nature, but pressed on rather than waste his time on such a thing. 'And what, pray tell, would I gain from all of this?'
"[Life once more.]"
When nothing more was spoken, the man felt as though his body were slipping away from the creature which tried to keep it secured in its space. However, just as he was to flow towards his promised tree, that which had stopped him kept hold of his ethereal body, continuing with, "[Thou wouldst also gain invisibility from the System of the world!]"
'Oh?' this intrigued the man, and desired to know, 'What is this "System"?'
"[Tis the one which hath tortured thine own self, mutating it into a younger and fitter version of thy race upon the world. Not only this, but tis also what controls the ability to act.]"
'Which means?'
"[Thou art as impatient as thine own race. The meaning shouldst be clear unto thine own ears, as the spells and abilities of such a world would not survive without a System. Therefore, if thou wishes to be a part of the world, but not, then thou must not be a part of the System. How else wouldst thou retain any and all gifts I shall impart unto thee?]"
Here, he grew suspicious of the unknown which kept him from sleeping, asking, 'What gifts?' with great reservation.
"[From thine own words, your philosophy of, 'Everything is Energy.' As well as the opening of worldly doors. Therefore, I shall impart an ability, or a 'Class', as that world hast called them, unto thee. One which shall allow thee and thine to progress upon the land, sea, and sky with barely a hindrance from those who deem such a task to be a part of the impossibility.]
"[For example, with thine newest of 'Classes', thou wouldst be allowed to traverse the heavens above with only Dragons to keep one company. Or, thou couldst swim and speak with the seafolk beneath the waves. Thou wouldst be allowed to perform much, but only if thou wouldst agree to mine own terms.]"
'Which are?' Again, the man held reservations towards the unknown voice, both not wishing to be where he was kept, and desiring to know more of the promises this unknown creature desire from him.
"[I was encroaching upon the point, no need to be hasty,]" the voice was beginning to sound effeminate to the man's ears, but would not come to a conclusion about it any time soon, "[Thou wouldst allow my eyes to view what thou wouldst see, sense with thine own senses, hear, taste, feel. All of this and more, wouldst thou allow me to experience, and in return, thou wouldst receive my gifts.]
"[Such as information, spells and abilities locked to a specific 'Class' thou wouldst not be able to access.]" The voice was silent for a time, leaving him to process what was spoken of for a time before it spoke again, "[Mayhaps thou wouldst gain favour from mine own self to use as thou wills, but know that such favours expire, else the System and its caretaker become aware of my presence.]"
'What is the "System", anyways?'
"[Something used to keep track of the world it is a part of, along with many more thou art not privy to know,]" it spoke in an offhanded expression before turning back to the main event, "[So? Wouldst thou wish to take part in this adventure upon the world of Terra?]"
'I guess?' he shrugged, unsure of what to do, but was greatly curious as to how such a venture would pan out, 'I mean, sure, why not, right? Though I would like to sleep, I guess I could spend another lifetime doing something productive before sleeping, right?'
"YAY!" cried out a very effeminate creature, one that appeared before the man, and hugged his person with the strength of a weight lifter back on his earth. In other words, if he had a body, he would have vomited up his organs, so great was the embrace.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she exclaimed as the world around them became void of all colour, and allowed him to fully view a child with white and silver hair which cascaded around her shoulders and towards the small of her back. Her own attire was of a one piece dress of shadows with many a floral pattern of black roses scattered about the hem. Whereas the complexion of one such as she was of tanned to dark skin tones, whilst her eyes, though blurred from many happy tears, were of solid orbs of white that glowed in a soft manner.
'Uh?' came the reaction of the man who did not understand what was occurring before himself.
"Oh," she jumped back, smoothing out her dress after twirling a full three hundred and sixty degrees, "I am Azazel, and you are?"
'Karastak,' was what came to his mind, and felt as though this suited him perfectly. It even came with a meaning, but the other was far quicker than he to speak of it.
"The Man on the Parapet, or, as you and your brother had further explained it, 'The Man on The Wall'. It suits you very well," she grinned up at his person, noting something occurring within himself. For a bright glow shined out of his essence, causing the girl to broaden her smile as she twirled around once more.
"Thank you for agreeing to my terms, Karastak, I will now reveal the class chosen for you to take." Here, she took a deep breath just as the glow fully engulfed his being. Just before it performed its next action, however, the man heard, "Your Class is now Enchanter. So, good luck down there, and give me a good show, okay?"
Upon so saying did the man vanish from her sight, leaving her to pull up a rectangular screen which allowed her to tap away upon the surface. One which allowed her to gift the man his class, but also his race. For she had found out, from his own mind, that he believed the race of Humans to be the weakest, and desired to never become one again if he were to choose. However, he did not know which race to become, thus leaving the girl called Azazel to ponder over the selections before her.
"Hmm," she hummed slowly for a few moments, then shrugged with an, "Eh," and allowed Fate to take control. Of which quickly landed upon a creature which had not been seen upon Terra for many a millennia. "Perfect," she grinned a Cheshire Cat's grin at the race chosen for he who would be her eyes and ears upon the world called Terra.