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The Stranger's Odyssey
Chapter Eight: Discovery

Chapter Eight: Discovery

Bruce had a day that was nothing short of mind-blowing. Riding on the back of a wyvern, chomping down on delectable local delicacies, and savoring the splendor of the Stoneheart Kingdom's scenery – it was like stepping into a new chapter of a book where every page was an adrenaline-pumping adventure. And to think, back on Earth, he never could've fathomed such escapades.

But as the sun tiptoed toward the horizon, Bruce couldn't ignore a feeling he hadn't experienced in a while – the itch for a good workout. The man was a military veteran, after all; his muscles longed for action.

With a stretch and a yawn, Bruce neatly tidied up his bed and decided to take a little jog around the castle. After all, the noble décor and the grand halls could make anyone long for a run, couldn't they?

And so, off he went, pounding his way through the castle grounds. But within a few strides, he realized something… strange. His body felt, well, light as a feather. Picture carrying a hefty backpack and then suddenly realizing it's gone – that's how Bruce felt.

An idea bubbled up, and he decided to go from a light jog to a full-on sprint. And that's when it hit him. He wasn't just experiencing a runner's high; he was basically a blur of motion. Bruce was running faster than a cheetah on roller skates. He could cover 500 meters in just 10 seconds, making him feel like a speedster doing 180 kilometers per hour, beating any sports car in sight.

Bruce halted, catching his breath, and let the reality sink in. He felt like he had more strength than a thousand energy drinks, and he had to figure out why.

Intrigued, he set up an outdoor lab for some experiments. A couple of swift kicks produced wind gusts that would've made Bruce Lee jealous, and a punch into a tree? Well, let's just say the tree would need some serious counseling.

But it was his attempt at jumping that really sent him over the moon, almost literally. An ordinary hop resulted in a normal jump, but when he went all-in, he soared skyward, nearly shaking hands with the clouds. From way up there, he could see the entire world below him, and it was absolutely exhilarating.

However, as he reached the apex of his jump, reality came crashing back down. Bruce had just one thought on the way down: "How the heck do I land?" He tried to go for a superhero landing but ended up face-planting in the ground, like a mighty oak felled by a squirrel.

Thankfully, he picked himself up with only a few scratches, all while shouting, "HOLY SHIT! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?"

Then now his theory comes together. The atmosphere and gravity of Earth is much more dense than this world. No, the atmosphere and gravity of earth is too powerful than this world.

With the thrill of his newfound powers still coursing through him, Bruce couldn't ignore the potential danger he posed to others. His abilities were like a loaded cannon, and one misstep could lead to disaster. After quickly repairing the ground crack he'd accidentally created, his rumbling stomach urged him to act fast before his secret was revealed.

Bruce made his way back to his quarters to freshen up while he waited for the servants to assist him. A polite knock at the door signaled their arrival. The servant, a gracious woman, informed him that the Royals were waiting for him in the dining hall. Bruce followed her, eventually entering the grand dining hall where Arthur greeted him with a smile.

"Did you sleep well?" Arthur asked.

"Not at all, there's no comfort room," Bruce replied in a hushed tone.

"Welcome, friend of Arthur. I am Queen Vallena, and these are my daughters, Princess Eleanor and Arabella," the Queen introduced herself. "I've heard much about you from Arthur."

Bruce shot a disapproving look at Arthur, who simply grinned. "I told you not to say it," Bruce whispered.

"No, I didn't say anything you didn't want me to. I just mentioned that you're my friend, that's all," Arthur responded innocently.

"I hope we're not interrupting your whispers," Queen Vallena said, smiling.

"No, you're Majesty. I apologize," Bruce replied, bowing his head. "I'm Ghost, your Majesty," he introduced himself.

Queen Vallena appeared ageless, with a big bo… he means heart and a face that radiated beauty. She was dressed splendidly, and Bruce was starstruck.

The princesses, too, possessed striking beauty. They were truly royalty, and Arthur, while certainly not lacking in charm, appeared almost ordinary compared to them. He had blonde hair that contrasted with the Princesses' black locks, suggesting that the King might have had a different hair color. Their fair skin contrasted with Bruce's brown complexion, making him feel like he was in a foreign land.

"Where are you from, Ghost?" Queen Vallena inquired.

Bruce hesitated but decided against lying outright. "I'm from a very distant land, your Majesty, probably a village you've never heard of."

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The Queen regarded Bruce skeptically and continued, "How did you meet Arthur?"

Arthur, ever the quick thinker, chimed in, "We met in the Pearl Village, Mother, while I was traveling there before the battle. When we returned to the kingdom, we heard news of the battle that took place after we left the Pearl Village." He offered a sheepish smile.

Bruce glanced at Arthur and understood the situation. Arthur hadn't revealed to the Queen that he'd also participated in the war.

"How nice to have a traveling companion," the Queen said, smiling, though she was well aware of Arthur's deception. She'd sent her spies to protect him during the battle and knew of Bruce's achievements. "Be good to him, Arthur. He seems like a kind man. Now, let's eat. I hope you enjoy what we've prepared for you, Ghost."

"Thank you, your Majesty," Bruce replied, trying to maintain his composure.

As they began to eat, Bruce couldn't help but notice Princess Eleanor giving him an intense, almost accusatory, gaze. Unable to focus on his food, he caught her eye, offering an awkward smile. She leaned in and whispered, "You destroyed my garden."

Bruce's eyes widened, and he swiftly looked away, whistling innocently, hoping to dodge the impending inquiry.

It had been a remarkable day for Bruce, filled with laughter and shared conversations. However, in the midst of this newfound camaraderie, he couldn't help but miss his parents. He longed for the familiar warmth of their presence and the reassuring smiles they wore during their family meals. Bruce silently wished for their well-being and health.

As the meal came to an end, Bruce excused himself from the royal gathering, expressing his intention to visit the Temple of God Mha-el in search of knowledge. Queen Vallena nodded understandingly and reassured him, "Worry not. We hold great esteem for all those who fought to protect this Kingdom. Soon, we shall host a celebratory gathering to honor those who safeguard the lands of the Stoneheart kingdom."

Bruce felt a sense of bewilderment, given that Arthur had previously told her that they hadn't been involved in the battle then why did the queen mentioned about that, "Thank you for the meal, Your Majesty," he said with a respectful bow of his head.

"Hey, Bruce, I'll accompany you," Arthur offered.

While walking towards the Temple of God Mha-el, Bruce sensed an intense gaze fixed upon them. He couldn't pinpoint the source, but he was certain that someone was observing their every move. Despite scanning their surroundings, he found no one out of the ordinary. It was an unsettling feeling, like an unseen presence shadowing their steps.

Upon reaching the Temple of God Mha-el, Bruce was taken aback by its grandeur. The temple resembled an imposing structure from Earth, dwarfing the edifices he had ever encountered. As he and Arthur entered the temple, an uncanny phenomenon occurred: time itself seemed to freeze. People moved about as though they were lifeless mannequins, and the usual bustling sounds of the temple fell eerily silent. Bruce was the sole exception, the only one able to move freely.

In the midst of his confusion, a voice resonated, commanding and filled with pride. "Why have you ventured into my temple without proper permission? Your presence is a sign of disrespect!"

Bruce responded, "I'm here to find someone who knew Commander Kilos. I merely placed his belongings here. I apologize if I've trespass, and we shall depart immediately."

The voice continued, "What is your name, young one?"

"I'm Ghost," Bruce replied.

"Do you dare to lie, child?"

Bruce's frustration grew, and he retorted, "Then who are you?"

Laughter echoed through the temple, filling the space with its resounding mirth. "A mere child dares to speak to me in such a manner," the voice proclaimed. "I am Mha-el, God Mha-el."

Bruce's eyes widened with realization, and he hastily bowed. "I'm truly sorry. I wasn't aware of the proper customs of this world. My name is Bruce. Please forgive me."

"Customs of this world?" Mha-el inquired, intrigued by Bruce's choice of words.

Bruce confessed, "You see, I come from Earth, if you're familiar with that planet."

The god responded, "Who do you think I am, boy? I am God Mha-el!"

Bruce went on to explain, "I arrived in this world by accident, after saving someone's life. When I awoke, I was falling from the sky."

As the statue of God Mha-el began radiating a divine light, Bruce felt the presence of something truly divine. In an instant, a man materialized, the embodiment of God Mha-el himself.

"Did you say you fell from the sky?" God Mha-el questioned, amused by the notion. "Ha! Ha! Ha! You were cast into this world, young man, but I understand why."

"Please, tell me," Bruce implored, his curiosity overwhelming him.

"Are you rushing a god, boy?" Mha-el chided gently.

"I'm sorry. I apologize," Bruce replied.

"Very well, then. Did you inherit your power from a higher human?"

Bruce asked, "What is a higher human?"

Mha-el elucidated, "Higher humans are beings created by gods, not birthed in the traditional sense. They are unique creations, not products of human reproduction."

Bruce, puzzled, remarked, "I don't quite understand. I was born to my mother, and I have photographs of my birth."

"Ah, you're confused, boy. Allow me to clarify. Do you have any ancestors who were higher humans?"

"I don't know of any such ancestors," Bruce admitted. "I'm not sure how I would even find that out."

Mha-el pondered the situation, then asked, "Do you know any stories about the first humans, those created by the gods?"

Bruce recollected, "There are legends of the first humans, created directly by the gods. But those tales date back over a thousand years, long before my time."

"Then, mortal boy, you have your answer," Mha-el declared. "You are not a higher human, but you have inherited their power. You possess an aura that only gods should hold."

Bruce struggled to comprehend this revelation. Ancestors, higher humans, auras – it was a lot to absorb. But hearing this from a god himself left no room for doubt.

"Can you tell me how I ended up in this world?" Bruce inquired.

Mha-el reminded him, "You didn't pay attention to the words of a god, mortal boy. You were cast into this world."

"Why?" Bruce pressed, his curiosity insatiable.

Mha-el expounded, "I understand that you are bewildered, mortal. However, let me provide you with some insight. A human who possesses the power of a god without the divine vessel to contain it is at great risk. The power you bear, transcending mere mortals, could obliterate your very soul. And a soul is the most precious entity in the entire cosmos, irreplaceable.

Your guardians might not have had a choice. The power you wield, untethered and unchecked, couldn't be safely returned to your original world. Resurrection into your former world wasn't an option, so an alternative path was chosen, leading you to this new realm."

Bruce's mind whirled with the weight of this information. His life had taken an inexplicable turn, revealing a profound connection to forces beyond his comprehension. It was a revelation that would reshape his understanding of both himself and the world he now inhabited.

"Thank you for the insight, Lord Mha-el," Bruce finally managed to say, his voice filled with gratitude and respect as all the questions that he have is now answered.

Mha-el nodded, his divine presence emanating an aura of wisdom. "Take this knowledge and use it well. You are destined for something extraordinary, young man. Cherish the gift you've been given and walk the path that lies before you."

Bruce left the Temple of God Mha-el. The world he had known was gone, replaced by a realm where gods and mortals intertwined.

As he exited the temple and the frozen world around him began to stir once more, Bruce couldn't help but wonder if his parents also have the same power he have.

"Who are you talking to, Mha-el?" A gentle voice interrupted their conversation.

"Ari-el, I was talking to a mortal," God Mha-el replied.

"It's been a long time since you talked to a mortal," God Ari-el remarked.

"He possessed the Aura, Ari-el," God Mha-el explained.

"A mortal possessing the power of a God? That… that is magnificent! We can use him!" God Ari-el exclaimed. "What is he—a dragon, elves, dwarf? Don't tell me he's a giant!"

"A human," God Mha-el answered.

God Ari-el was astonished. The revelation that a human possessed an aura left her speechless. She was well aware of other beings who had auras, but for a human to wield such power within their fragile bodies was extraordinary. The inherent force of the aura would typically annihilate a human's existence.

As the two divine entities contemplated theimplications of this incredible discovery, they realized that the fate of this exceptional mortal, Bruce, was now intertwined with the fate of their own world.