“Did the world you came from have a system?” the dragon, Cassaeyin asks.

“System? What do you mean?”

“A system is an entity that comes about when mana is introduced to a universe.The system sets rules for mana and magic. No-one knows how it comes about or where it originated from. My roar earlier was laced with mana which is what prompted the system to give you that notification. Also, each sentient being is able to access their own personal character sheet.”

“Ok, yeah.On Earth we had games that had that sort of thing, but nothing in the real world worked that way.” Jett adds, “There were unwritten rules like physics and science stuff. But nothing like a notification system.”

“Earth is a place I have not heard of before.” The dragon looks at Jett quizzically. “Since you say that your Earth did not have a system, I would guess two things have happened. First is that this world, Vol Mani, brushed up against your world. As a result, the second thing that happened is certain things, such as people, mana, air, really anything, were exchanged. You, for example, swapped worlds.”

“Is there any way to go back?” The question hangs in the air as they travel through the trees. Right when Jett is about to repeat the question, Cassaeyin speaks.

“I know that realm travel is possible. Moving up or down the realms ladder is fairly simple once someone is powerful enough. To traverse to another universe, that would be something completely different. I have no experience on the matter, but I have heard of a hero or two who were summoned from another world. I never got the chance to meet them. I learned they had both died in a war they were summoned to fight in. Neither country exists anymore.

“To give a simple answer to your question, probably not. To even be powerful enough to experiment, you would have to be stronger than me and all the gods I used to know."

"I guess this means I'm stuck here. What was that you said about fate? A mistress of some kind?"

Cassaeyin glances back, "Fate can be a cruel and fickle mistress at times."

"Right, that. Uh, I'm not really sure how I feel right now. I just got dropped into a new world with just the clothes on my back, so would it be alright if I had some time to process and come to terms with, everything?" Jett eyes the ground.

The dragon's tone softens. "Of course. I understand that dealing with the loss of everything you knew can take time. Where we are headed, there is space for you to rest. If you desire space I will not seek you out. But just know that if you wish for my company, my space is the central chamber. I just suggest that when you feel up to it, take a look at the classes available to you."

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"Thank you for helping me and understanding." Jett adds, "Once I'm ready, I'll try to be useful to repay the kindness."

"It is the least I can do for the first person I have conversed with in a great many years."

The pair travel through an almost unnaturally still forest. At one point, a creature can be seen darting away from the human and dragon. Not soon after, a pair of songbirds flit past, warbling a tune foreign to Jett. Soon enough the trees give way and a paved stone path can be seen. As they crest a hill, a massive structure can be seen on the peak of the next hill. No trees obscure it, and none could.

"Welcome to the Temple of the God Dragon. It has been around for so long, I forget the actual length of time. Once you are immortal, time does not seem to matter very much."

Jett, in awe for the second time today, almost stops in his tracks. The temple has walls of stone carved with murals of Cassaeyin. The entrance is made of massive double doors standing open. The doors are flanked by painted statues of the God Dragon. As they approach the ramp leading through the doors, Jett glances upwards at the ceiling. It stretches high above, covered in artwork the likes of which would rival famous artists on Earth. Stunned into silence, Jett follows the dragon to the left of the area. They reach a much smaller door, human sized this time and entirely unremarkable. Jett turns to Cassaeyin.

"I assume that the rooms you mentioned are on the other side of this door?"

"You assume correctly. I do not have the means to cook food, but do know that there is a kitchen at the end of the hallway." The massive dragon turns and slithers towards the back of the chamber. As he settles under a stained glass window the size of a bus, he adds, "I will be here if you need to talk."

"Thank you again. Should I call you Cassaeyin, or do you want to be called something special like your holiness or something?"

"You may call me Cassaeyin, Jett." The dragon's eyes close after those words. Jett opens and walks through the door. The hallway has a dozen or so doors. Each door has a placard for a name, all empty except for the kitchen and guest room. Jett enters the guest room, taking off his shoes and flopping on the bed. A soft pillow accepts Jett's face as tears start dripping from his eyes.

When Jett rouses himself, dawn breaks through the darkness. Hungry and exhausted, he makes his way to the kitchen. Inside he has to pinch himself again to make sure what he's seeing is real. There are an assortment of shelves with various foods. All seem freshly made, with no hint of aging on anything. Curious, Jett notes that a number of glowing symbols are visible on the shelves. Well that's interesting. Makes sense now that I think about it. Jett grabs a loaf of bread from one of the shelves and eyes it. Not sure what to expect, Jett takes a bite. Well, I guess magic bread still just tastes like bread.

Jett heads back to his room. He thinks about the next step while finishing his breakfast. I guess that since I'm here I should at least try to live. It is very interesting that magic supposedly exists. Also, the first person I meet is not only a dragon but a god as well. Fate, you really are a cruel mistress. But Cassaeyin, the God Dragon, said to take what fate gives you and work with it. I get the feeling that he wasn't always a god. Jett flops down onto his new bed. I'll deal with all that after I take a nap. I feel like crap. With the morning sun on his back, Jett falls into a much needed rest.