“Where you off to Eva?” the other guard that escorted me asked her. “I have some errands to run. Have to pick up some things for master.” she answers back in a bland tone. “Well have a safe trip then,” he says smiling. The arrogant guard notices me watching them, “I said get out of here!” he shouts at me. Would love to, but I don’t even know where I’m at. Great now people are staring, guess I’ll just go straight. Pairs of eyes glanced at me from the bustling street as the guard shouted, and now are continuing to stare because of my clothes. Everyone around me is wearing bright uncomfortable looking clothes, similar to the throne.

I can only imagine the layout of the capital will be like that of the old kingdoms of Europe. The farther I get from the center, the dirtier and poorer people are going to be. People keep glancing as I walk down the road, I have black flex jeans and a red long sleeve shirt that has a hoodie attached. I continue weaving around the crowd for a couple minutes until I come upon a fountain in the middle of a square I presume.

I sit down on the edge and take a better look at the surroundings around me. Most of the buildings seem to be made out of dried bricks or wood, as the rest is made out of stone bricks. I hear some clanging of metal to my right, and see a giant guy hammering away at a piece of metal on an anvil. There were pop-up shops and stands that littered the edges of the streets and square. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say this is probably the marketplace. As I continued to observe, every so often my perception would shift to a degree and I could see a faint hazy fog covering everywhere. I must be hallucinating this ordeal, I can tell I’m not asleep so it’s not a dream.

I hear some kids squeal to my left as they get splashed with some water. That’s when I begin to notice what’s so fundamentally different here. The child that got splashed raises her hand to another child and begins saying something, too far away so I can’t actually hear what they say. Strands of her hair begin to glow a light blue, a fine like sand that seems ethereal in nature appears in front of her palm, it vortexes into a cone and water softly jetsons out from the center.

“In our world, magic is its foundation. Those who have had the misfortune of not bearing the gift of wielding mana are shunned by their peers. Though the percentage is small in number, it still does happen” the young lady says with a sad tone as she sits down next to me. “So I guess that test with the crystal ball went that bad huh,” I remark. “Yes, though I find it strange that it didn’t react whatsoever with a summoned person. It’s happened a couple of times with my people, but never with a summoned”, she says in a troubled tone, I look over at her but she has her head down.

“So what’s going to happen to me now?” I ask over to her. She looks up with determination, “First we should get you some new clothes, you stand out too much right now. Then I’m going to take you to the sacred tree… there must be… there has to be a way around this”. “Shopping? I don’t have money with me” I retort, nor would my currency work. “It’s fine, I’ll be buying. At the least you need a shirt, that’s what stands out so much. The pants look only slightly strange if you get a close look at it” she explains.

“Are you sure about paying?” I ask, “Yes. Especially since I had a hand in bringing you here. And don’t worry I have some money saved up so it’s not that big of a deal” she responds. “If you say so” I gesture my hand for her to lead the way.

“I don’t suppose there’s a way back to my home is there?” I ask as we walk towards a clothes store. “No… Not for some time. The device that transported you here takes years of mana to charge just for one person. And even if the King allowed you to use it when it is ready, which he wouldn’t, we don’t have any control over where it goes. I’ve tried talking him out of pulling innocent people into his game of power and influence but he wouldn’t listen. The lords won’t do anything because of the prestige the King grants them and the money he gives. The good ones are too few in number that they don’t act, in fear of what would happen if they did” she explains.

“Why don’t the citizens speak up? Or is he oppressing them?” I ask. “Fear is one factor, yes. But he is also good to them as long as they do what he commands. Some have been thrown into jail, other sold into slavery, worst comes to worst he executes and sometimes in public for demonstration. So everyone obeys and their families are kept safe. Here we are” she stops in front of a modest looking building.

As we enter, it’s as you would expect, full of clothes. The reception desk is to the left, clothes hung on racks in the middle and on the walls, a mirrored platform for fitting to the right, and changing room in the back.

“Oh Eva, right on time. I just got done patching up her robe, tell her to be careful next time… Oh, wait do we have here, finally got yourself a boyfriend I see” the woman at the desk smiles. “Anita, you know I find a lot of their behavior and personalities despicable. All they care about is their pride, which overruns their honor if they had any to begin with” Eva retorts her claim. “I know I know, but if you don’t hurry soon you might not find a good one. Though I’m sure anyone would fall for you for quite some time, isn’t that right young man” Anita looks at me. I just shrug my shoulders and stay out of it. “Ooh, he’s a smart one!” Anita gives a laugh.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

She turns back to Eva “So is that all or you needing anything else?”. “We came to get him some new clothes” Eva replies and begins to search around for something good.

“Boy, I haven’t seen you around before, where you from and how do you know Eva? You not trying to sponge off her, are you?” she gives me a sharp look. I give a gentle smile, “Never would’ve thought about it. I’m from away, our parents were old buddies and I decided to visit while I was in the area”.

“Hey! What about this one?” Eva calls out, I walk over to her. She looks at the shirt in her hands then at me, gives a cute tilt of the head “You know what, we never gave introductions. My name’s Eva Quetz and I’m a Court Mage, I can use most elements but my strong suit is water” she smiles at me. “Nice to meet you, Eva, my name’s Eli” I return her smile, “I think I’ll go with this” I reach for a dark grey tunic behind her.

After a couple of tries, I finally find one that fits properly, “Here” Eva hands me a black piece of clothing. “What’s this?” I ask curiously, “It’s a coat that can double as a cloak. It’s made of a special fabric that can be reasonably enchanted” it looks close to silk but not quite as shiny or smooth. I put it on, it’s only slightly bigger than me but it’s still a good fit. “Thanks, you have good taste. I like it” I give her a smile. She quickly turns and goes to the counter, but I can see a bit of a red tint on her ear.

I walk over to the two of them, “I’ll put the cloak on your tab, as for the shirt. It might be a weird request, but if you don’t mind, you could exchange your old shirt for the new one. As a clothes merchant, I like to study new clothes. I might even be getting the better deal here” Anita mischievous smiles. I hand her the long sleeve shirt “I don’t mind, hopefully, it works out for the better” I chuckle.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

It took us what felt like an hour, but I don’t know how they tell time here. The Sacred Tree is located on the side adjacent to the market. It also acts as a cemetery for whoever is deemed important. The tree is in a fenced off area with grave markers surrounding it. Looking up at the sky, I’d say it’s probably 4 in the afternoon. We walk up to the tree.

Eva grabs my hands and places them against the tree, keeps hers on top of mine. “I… I don’t feel anything. There’s no channel, there’s no flow. I don’t understand” she lets go and takes a few steps back. I stay with my hands still touching, “There’s nothi-” I look back to see why she stopped talking. She was frozen in place, everything stood still, even the leaves that were cascading down stopped in mid-air.

I go to move but my body was paralyzed from the shoulders down. I look back at the tree as I feel a pull of something I’ve never felt before, almost felt as if the thing was grabbing my being itself. Then I noticed my hands began to disintegrate into atoms, it slowly ate its way from my feet and hands all the way up to my head until I was gone. I was nothing, I became nothing. I was in darkness.

*Hello there* a thought that wasn’t my thought came to my mind. ‘What’ *Don’t worry, your not dead* ‘then what happened’

*I’m reforging you into something new* ‘I’m not going to be human?’

*You will still retain your humanity, but. Will also be something higher* ‘Who are you? God’

*No no. I am not a god. Just. an entity* ‘What type of entity?’

*I am. The Will of the planet. The energy that resides. Here* ‘Why, to me’

*The darkness. The evil within hearts. I am of harmony, but harmony cannot coincide with. Darkness of man… You have will. Power. Serenity and tranquility within you. You can be a hope to fight back the Evil that is spreading. Fight to mend what has already. Been damaged* ‘How? I am not of this… place. I have no knowledge or power… and I am alone’

*You. Are not alone. She has struggled. She has the will. Power as you do. She is like you in many ways. You can succeed with her by your side. Body. Mind. And Soul in harmony* ‘Trying to marry her off to a stranger. Her father?’

*Haaa. In ways… All living things. Residing on this planet are. My children. But marriage is a big way for harmony. But it is for you to. Decide if that is the course you will. Take* ‘I’m not one to oppose my will onto other’

*That is why I chose you. Don’t worry. You two will work well. Together* ‘Is it possible to return home?’

*Yes and no. Given enough mana to machine, I could guide you. Back. But all living things. That live here requires mana. After this. If you were to go back. You would die, once the last remnants of mana where used. By your body. It could take some years. But you wouldn’t be. Able to live a full life* ‘Not really giving me a choice’

*You. May think it is. Selfish, but there are things you don’t know* ‘And? What would that be?’

*You are in. The future. The wormhole passed by. A star. Solar flare made it jump. The people’s Ancestors. Are your people’s future generations. You are of them. They are of you. Your genetic sequence is.. Was better than the originals that came here before you. I am making you. Before the mana decay sets in. Each atom is to be bonded with a grain of mana. You will only change little in appearance. You are to be. Not a leader, but a beacon. A Magi to show harmony to those who choose destruction. It will not be. Kind. but go in wisdom to seek peace and fight the Evil* ‘Why would she come with me?’

*You must help her. Find her peace. Only thing holding her back. Is parents. The so-called king threw them. Into slave labor. He is an evil that. Must come to justice. Find them. Free them and everyone else. She will follow suit*