CHAPTER TWO
The Summoning of Erik Reeves
Mythra’s body releases a golden glow in front of my unbelieving eyes. It slowly brightens and becomes a white halo surrounding her body. Eventually, the light is so bright I am forced to close my eyes. I can still see the silhouette of her body through the blinding rays.
Like a light being shut off, the sudden brightness disappears. I’m left feeling as though the room is suddenly dark and oppressive afterward. It takes a few minutes for my eyes to adjust to the new dimness in the room. “What the fuck was that!” I burst out demandingly.
“Just a demonstration. I am Mythra, the goddess of holy light. Such a show is a simple trick.”
“Why don’t you show that to everyone? You could be worshiped by millions if they knew there really were gods!”
“That simple display took more energy than a thousand followers would gain me. Not to mention, you earthlings are a very skeptical bunch, most would believe this to be a parlor trick.” She shook her head ruefully. “I am not here for believers, I am here for champions. Despite your skepticism, this world is full of imagination and ingenuity.”
“You don’t have critical thinking in a magical world?” I couldn’t help thinking we were nothing special here.
“You would be surprised! When things can be fixed with the application of a little magic, what use is there in thinking about the world critically?”
“So you want me to go to this world and do what exactly?” I put my head in my hands, not being able to keep up with the surprises of this night.
“I want one thing only. For you to help the people of that land as much as you can. To heal the wounded, to put wrongs right again. I will give you the power to affect real change, and I believe you are the kind of person that will use that power to do great things.”
“You are a goddess! Why not fix those things yourself? Why do you need me?” I desperately wanted to know why I was chosen.
“Simply put, the mana of Terranis rejects our influence far more than a world like this one. Here, I can manifest this vessel to interact with the people, but in that world it would take far more power. By finding the right people, I can expend less energy and accomplish far more!”
“Who cares about energy, aren’t you a god? They are supposed to be infinite!”
“Nothing in this world or the other is infinite. Even gods have limits. We can do miraculous things, but nothing is without cost. Were I to interfere directly too often in Terranis I would be left without the energy to maintain many other worlds.”
“How many worlds are there?” I asked in wonder.
“The answer to that question is probably a number so high it would be considered infinite to your people. New worlds are constantly being born, and old ones lost. I was born from the confluence of faith from millions of worlds believing in similar things.”
“Jesus, that’s crazy!”
“Jesus is not a god, only your world believes in that particular faith.”
I was dumbfounded for a few moments before I decided it wasn’t that important. “I have so many questions! Are the creatures in our books and legends real? Like… are there dragons and vampires? Will I be able to hurl fireballs and lightning?” I was so excited I was sitting on the edge of the recliner leaning forward.
“There are many variants of creatures and sapient life forms throughout various universes. The world I will be sending you to has predominantly beasts and humans. There are a few supernatural entities in Terranis, but for the most part it resembles a medieval version of your world with magic.” She grinned at me ruefully. “Now as for your magic, you will not have any offensive magic. I am a goddess of light, not a goddess of fire. I can imbue your body, make you stronger and tougher than a normal human. You will have access to my divine magic, which is healing and illumination.”
“There go my fantasies of being a wizard. Healing magic sounds strong though! So I will be like a paladin?” I started bouncing in place, unable to contain my excitement.
“That is the closest equivalent in your world. You will represent me, as my champion.” Mythra said this while extending her arms to the sides grandly.
“I’m ready! Sign me up! What do I have to do?” I bounced out of the chair and started hopping on the spot.
“Follow me.” She stated simply. She rose out of her chair like a waterfall in reverse. The grace of it left me swallowing. We walked towards the other half of the basement, where the black curtain block our view. With a gesture, she parted the curtains wide until I could see a fantastical circle etched into the floor with esoteric symbols strewn through it. “Simply step into the circle and agree to the spell.”
“Wait, if our world has no mana how are you going to power this?”
“With my own reserves, of course, I have already factored the cost of transportation into my plans.” I thought that sounded slightly sinister, but I wanted to trust her. I needed this to work!
I stepped slowly into the center of the circle and turned to face Mythra. “Will you be coming with me?” I was hopeful that I could spend more time with this beautiful woman.
“This vessel will stay here, in stasis. I am already in that world as well as others. I am a goddess after all.” She chuckled.
“When do we start?” The anticipation had butterflies swarming in my stomach, and I had started sweating again. She replied by kneeling down and placing her palm on the edge of the circle. Runes, symbols, geometric patterns, and hundreds of lines that looked like circuitry lit up with a white light. The light followed the lines and flowed inward towards me. I laughed out loud in wonder. “Thank you!”
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The light reached the center circle and flashed brilliantly. I felt an intense rushing sensation as though I was being shot out of a gun. At the same time, a warmth was seeping into the center of my being and spreading to all parts of me. If I could see at all, it would be nothing but blinding white light. My eyes weren’t responding, and I couldn’t feel my body. There was just a diffuse sensation of warmth filling me until it became uncomfortably hot.
I’m unsure how long this lasted, until suddenly I was lying on cold stone. I was unprepared for the sudden change in temperature. A gasp escapes my throat and my eyes fly open to find myself in a brightly lit area in the middle of another circle, similar to the one I just left but smaller. People in robes surround me, babbling quietly in what sounds like prayer. I sit up and am surprised at the speed I’m able to lever my body upright with nothing by my abs. I look down at myself and realize I am completely naked, but more importantly, I am absolutely ripped!
Embarrassment and excitement are battling frantically in my brain, deciding whether to cover myself up or to jump up and starting testing this amazing new body!
I decide the best bet is to do a little role playing like I was playing a table-top game. I stand up to my full height, realizing only then that I am absolutely even more massive than I realized. All the surrounding priests stood at least a full head shorter than I did. Holding back the urge to cover myself, I cleared my throat, “My name is Erik Reeves, I have been sent by Mythra to assist this world to the best of my ability.” Even my voice was different, coming out in a rich baritone.
The priest with the fanciest hat on spoke to me first. “Welcome Champion! We have been awaiting the arrival of the Goddess’s champion for quite some time now.” They all wore ostentatious white robes highlighted with gold filigree. The head priest's hat was tall enough to put it above even my prodigious height.
“Thank you! I’m glad to be here.” I answer awkwardly, my nudity was starting to take its toll. “Do you think I could get some clothing, please?”
“Oh my, yes, of course!” Clapping his hands, he called forth two female priestesses from the back of the room. I tried very hard not to react as they ceremoniously helped me into a fancy robe like the priests were wearing. Their hands ran over my body a bit more than I thought was strictly necessary. “We will have a banquet tonight to celebrate your arrival and the blessing of the Goddess!”
“That sounds wonderful!” This adventure was starting out just like I imagined it would! Now I just needed to learn some magic and become a hero loved by this whole world!
“I am Bishop Gregory, head of the Mythra Church in Kalabor. Minister Burke will show you to your rooms.” Bishop Gregory pointed to another priest bearing a small cap that looked like a large yamaka. Minister Burke was a large priest, sporting a bulging belly that even his voluminous robes failed to hide. He most likely had high blood pressure as well, noted from the pinkness and sheen of sweat on his piggy face.
“Right this way, Champion!” Burke said obsequiously. He bowed and turned, walking toward the doors at the end of the stone chamber. Every step I took was a marvel in discovery. My body flexed powerfully under the robes. I felt amazing, full of energy and exuberance. I wanted to run and jump to test my new limits, but I held myself back while I had so many eyes on me. I didn’t want to look like a fool on my first day here.
“This church was erected in Mythra’s name over six thousand years ago. It is the home of the most devote followers of the Goddess of Light.” Minister Burke informed me in a respectful tone.
“That is a really long time for one structure to still be standing. I’m impressed!” I scratched my head and felt soft, luxurious hair under my fingers. We wandered down several corridors, making numerous turns that would have had me lost.
“Yes! We have made additions to the church numerous times over the centuries. It really is more of a compound with many buildings supporting the main church.” I noticed a gold necklace around his neck with a symbol of a half circle with what looked like rays of light pointing down under it. That must be their version of a cross, numerous people we passed in the halls had the same necklace on, though most were made from wood. “Just down this hall are your rooms.”
I looked in the direction he pointed and saw a large doorway with gold plating on the frame and silver enamel on the door itself. “Wow, that is a fancy door!”
“Of course, we provide the best accommodations we can for the Champion!” He exclaimed while bowing. I didn’t realize I would be some big deal when I got here. I’m honestly not sure how I feel about everyone treating me like royalty.
“I mean, I would have been fine with a comfortable bed and some clothes.”
“Nonsense! The Champion will want for nothing while in the walls of the church. It would blaspheme against the Goddess herself!” Minister Burke seemed to be beside himself at the notion.
“I’m sure I’ll love it! Thank you for showing me here, Minister. I’ll spend some time getting settled in for a while.”
“Yes, of course! I will come and show you to the banquet hall when everything is prepared.” Minister Burke bowed again and left me to enter the fanciest door I had ever seen.
Giddiness was starting to take over my body, and I had to clamp down on the urge to giggle like a little girl. The door swung open on silent hinges. I stepped into my suite and was stunned by how large the room was. The entry foyer was so large it could have fit my entire apartment inside the space multiple times over.
An elegantly crafted wooden table sat in front of one of the largest couches I had ever seen. There was room for 15 people to sit on it, and it appeared to be upholstered in supple leather. The floor was tile and covered in plush rugs with sun motifs dyed into them. The room was lit by an enormous gold chandelier with shining globes that I would swear were halogen, but most likely ran off some sort of magic. Paintings of battles and beautiful angels covered the walls.
Focusing back on my new body, I explored my range of motion. Every movement felt effortless and powerful. Sinking into a squat, I felt as though I could hold a horse stance almost indefinitely. I pushed off the ground from my squatted position. I expected to stand up quickly and maybe do a short hop.
I launched myself into the air and felt my stomach drop as I started to fall back down. Looking up, I estimated the ceiling was close to 14 feet tall. It seemed to be an impossible height to jump. I wanted to see what this body could really do though.
I started making small hops in place, getting a feel for my joints and how my muscles responded. The tendons in my ankles and knees feel like high tensile bow strings. I bounced higher and higher with every hop. Deciding to pull out all the stops, I tensed my powerful legs with all my strength. I rebounded off the floor, pushing my toes powerfully off the ground and putting my full body into the jump.
I shot into the air and regretted my decision. My head slammed into the ceiling. It wasn’t cheap drywall, my head slammed into solid wood paneling and busted a crack in it. I saw white for an instant and my ears started ringing. I lost control of my body in the fall and landed straight on my back, knocking the wind out of me. I lay there for a few moments, thinking I was going to have to go to dinner with a concussion now.
But then I felt something stir in my chest. A feeling of warmth traveled up to my head and bathed it in a heat that left a strong tingling sensation behind. After the feeling passed, I felt good as new. If anything, I felt better than before I struck my head.
I finally gave in and started giggling and cackling uncontrollably. “This is going to be so fucking awesome!”