《The Gilded Hero》1 - Summoned
Advertisement
…………………
“To think of a World such as ours as something to be yearned for may seem strange, yet their testimony is almost always consistent. Though one can hardly believe the truth in this, I have seen it myself. Just by providing the “opportunity” to step beyond between Planes, these travelers feel we have done them a great service. So, I ask you: when they accept their tasks so willingly, can it truly be called a sin?”
-King Sunder, Ruler of the Early Nautalin Empire, Second of his Name
…………………
As the light faded, and my eyes adjusted, I stood with all the others summoned before the King.
One moment, here. Another... there. I understood little of how or why I'd arrived, but I knew who I stood before.
The King.
Nothing else in my list of descriptions could possibly fit such a man. Seated upon a throne of gold and ivory, crown of jewels aglow in the torchlight of the great hall, he held a presence that was so powerful, I felt the urge to kneel. Just by a mere glance, it was almost as if someone had taken me by the neck and thrust me towards the floor. Before I knew it, any thought to resist was crushed from my very lungs, and the feeling brought me to my knees.
Down, until my head bowed.
From the gasps and cries to either side of me, I realized I wasn't alone in this.
"You may rise." The gravelly voice alleviated the pressure at once. Looking up, I could see those eyes upon us now, scanning through our midst. A horrible shiver ran down my spine, as they settled on me, for the briefest of seconds. "Welcome, chosen ones."
"Where are we-" To my right, a woman tried to speak.
Advertisement
Tried.
Turning my eyes, I saw her. Gasping, all but choking- unable to continue the words.
From the throne, the King raised a hand.
"I did not say you could speak." His voice was iron, clamped about our throats. "Heroes, all. I have brought you here to serve a purpose. Your destiny has finally come, by my Empire's might, you have finally arrived."
The woman gasped, breathing as the statement released her.
"Heroes?" I felt the question rise, above the rest. All the other bubbles of jumbled thoughts, fighting for dominance, and that was the one which almost reached my lips. "Was that truly what we were?"
"Heroes." The King repeated.
I felt it there. Insidious, undeniable: His words were light, truth, and magnificence itself. How could I have doubted... him...
The recognition that something had just transpired which was beyond my comprehension, gave me a chill. Sucking in a breath, I swallowed down the rising sense of fear.
How did he just do that?
How could he make me believe him, so simply? None of this made sense! I was on my way home, from work. Why am I here, now? Where is this place? What’s happening?
“Remain calm. The effects of the Transfer are still lingering.” The King commanded.
Calm…
I should be... calm...
To my left, I saw a reaction from the man beside me. Another, from a young girl, farther down the line. Their eyes seemed to shine. Had I resisted, somehow? Certainly, no one dared to interrupt again, as the King continued.
"The Demon Lord threatens our lands, corrupts our enemies. Our armies are mighty, our walls and cities, strong: but of this Plane, those who might take on the Class of Hero, are rare. Only a few, every hundred years- many who go their whole lives without realizing it."
Advertisement
"Class?" Another braver- or simply foolish, soul spoke up again. “What is a Class?”
The King's eyes fell upon them, narrowing with impatience.
"As is my right as ruler of these lands, I grant you the blessing of [Sight]." The King raised a hand, almost indifferent as he chanted the line. "Witness."
It hit me at once, like the pressure before- an inexplicable sensation of pressure. This time, though, it was behind my eyes, inside my head.
It burned.
Name: John
Title: Summoned Hero*
Class: None
General Skills:
Language of men - Lvl 10 - Passive
Identify Lvl 1 - Active
Status:
Vitality: 10
Endurance: 15
Strength: 11
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 45
Wisdom: 44
Health: 50/50
Stamina: 20/20
Mana: 1/100
"Amazing." Next to me, the wide-eyed man whispered the word, as he followed what I presumed were similar messages in his mind's eyes. I looked to either side, finding similar reactions. Exclamations of excitement, and wonder.
"Your task is already upon you, heroes." The King waved his hand again, signalling to several armored figures among the court. "My knights shall see you receive what is needed. Weapons, armor, and coin: all chosen ones such as yourselves will need, to advance upon your destiny. You are dismissed."
The finality of such a statement.
Men in bright armor moved in, bowing to their lord, before guiding those farthest from me towards the massive archways to the edges of the hall. Looking back, I saw doors of gilded metal and runes, swing open, to reveal a city skyline of pillars and stone. Clouds of brilliant color, and flags of gold beside them. Already, the others were moving, speaking quietly with hushed excitement.
Yet, for some reason I turned back. Prickling sensation on the hairs of my neck and back, willed me to turn to the King, one final time.
Upon his throne, he looked down at the numbers heading for the door, with a cold stare. Like one might look upon insects, or filth left to rot upon the floor.
Then, he looked to me. Caught me in his presence, until I was helpless to even think of looking away. All will, all defiance, all emotion was sapped out of me- absent, as if it had never been.
He held me there, for what might have been the longest seconds of my entire life.
And he smiled.
Advertisement
- In Serial31 Chapters
Beneath Within
Look a little closer. See the cracks growing deeper. See here, in Entithea, old dead things grow restless. Witness their release. In the underground city of Entithea, Orphans are those without magic living a life devoted to the Church of Royals. For breaking the law of their Family, their magic was stripped from them. Nadira of the Orphans is sick of spending her life looking after the Church on behalf of her matron. Having been raised in the Orphanage, she wants an adventure, and to find out who she is outside of her role. An opportunity comes when a newcomer seeks justice for the murder of his teacher. With his help, she decides to run away. Unfortunately, her matron will stop at nothing to get her home again. Her interests will ultimately collide with four others, for good or ill. Each has their own story to tell. They will change Enthithea’s future. It is inevitable. Beneath Within is a ghost story. It is a fantasy adventure with possessions aplenty, murders, and monsters. Slow-burn dark fantasy with 5 pov. Hope you enjoy it! Returning July 2022 Many thanks go to Mary Evans for the cover! [This fiction will deal with topics of mental health, specifically emotional and physical abuse and trauma]
8 201 - In Serial6 Chapters
Astrayed Absolution
I hav? lift?d th? curtain to show th? t?uth about th? Kingdom. I am disclosing ou? f?llowm?n ou? d?f?cts, ou? vic?s, ou? culpabl? and cowardly indiff???nc? ??sulting in ou? own mis??y. In my l?tt??s, I t?i?d to co???ct th? ha?mful accusations against ou? p?opl?. I b?ought out in th? op?n th? sad stat? of ou? count?y, all ou? g?i?vanc?s and f?ust?ations. Thos? g???dy f?ia?s, thos? co??upt l?ad??. Th?y who gov??n ou? land, you say w? should app?al to th? Celestial Kingdom, but how? Th? Kingdom is d?af and blind, th?y won’t h?a? ou? c?i?s, and th?y won’t s?? ou? suff??ings. Inst?ad, th?y s?nt imb?cil?s and c?iminals to gov??n us. W? a?? t??at?d lik? animals. I know most of you a?? af?aid, but f?a? mo?? fo? you? famili?s. A?? w? going to simply watch ou? child??n b? kill?d? Ou? wom?n abus?d, ou? fi?lds plund???d, ou? id?ntiti?s and dignity ?obb?d b?fo?? taking action? A?? w? to ??main sil?nt?
8 190 - In Serial7 Chapters
Meteor High
What would you do if every thing in your life got blown away in a single second? If the world that you knew disappeared and a horrible, ruthless, bloody abomination replaced it. This is the story of Victor Miller, and how one meteor shower changed his whole life forever.Read to find out more! [Rated R for action, violence, language, and Maybe Sex?]
8 96 - In Serial11 Chapters
Curo [Hiatus]
A young boy abandoned on the streets by his parents due to being born with snow white hair and red pupils. He struggles to survive in a world where strength rules. While trying to pickpocket a certain old man on the street, he soon realizes that he had picked the wrong man to try and steal from. By grabbing the mysterious mans intrest, he soon had his whole world turned upside down.PS. Since I write this as stress relief and out of my free time, If you do not like the story, just don't read it, you don't have to announce it to the world in the comments. Although I don't mind CONSTRUCTIVE critisism.Thank you.PSS. I know my grammar and editing aren't the best. The mature tag, means there will be some light cursing every few chapters.PSSS. If you leave a rating, it would be nice to know what you like and what you didn't.Will pick it up in the future, at the moment, do not expect any updates on this.
8 98 - In Serial26 Chapters
My mommy - IU || gxg / littlespace
Lily is high school student with a traumatic past. In order to cope, she goes into little space. When Lily is a little, she is timid and shy...but she can also get a little too naughty. Jieun is a beautiful actress and singer that is known by her stage name IU. During her hiatus, she roams around the city and bumps into Lily. Lily falls for her instantly, but does Jieun? ⚠️ Smut and Traumatic Flashbacks ⚠️
8 410 - In Serial123 Chapters
OCCULT CLUB
── luxiemshe could step on me and i'd even thank her for it.wherein five boys helps (and simps over) the cute and pure occult club president.. . . .luxiemstatus: on-going©catconnoisseur 2022
8 322