Liza stormed out of the room. Everything was just, so, frustrating. She had been summoned to this other world as a hero. She was special! She had always wanted to be special.

Sure, she had heard the phrases: everyone is special, you’re unique in your own special way. But she never believed them. She was second string on the softball team, despite the practice she put in. She knew she was as good as the first string pitchers but because she was a freshman she didn’t get a spot.

In classes, Liza was a solid C student. Studying wasn’t fun. Neither was sitting at a desk. The only interesting class at school was math, and that was because the teacher always held competitions. Sometimes it was a jeopardy game, others a quiz-off. The actual math part wasn’t fun but winning was awesome.

Now she was in this whole new world! With evil mind-control elves and gorgeous tan men. And then there was Azure. It’s not like she disliked him. He saved her life after all. But he was way too protective. The entire trip had been him chaperoning her. Lin might like that but she didn’t.

It had felt so good to use her abilities against that army. And then Azure had them run away. She was holding them off! She could have saved Sarah!

Liza’s face fell as she thought about her friend. Their moms had been friends forever. Sometimes that meant the kids didn’t really like each other but Liza and Sarah hit it off. Both had liked the outdoors. Sarah was one to enjoy nature while Liza wanted to run around. Their friendship had continued to high school.

Now both of them were in another world! Imagine all the fun they could have! But Liza needed to save her friend first. She had thought Azure would do it. The blue guy did take them straight out of space onto the planet. He could have done something besides protect them.

He was offering to do it now though, but Liza didn’t quite trust him anymore. Azure had issues, he had admitted it himself when he apologized. What if it stopped him? In frustration, Liza took out the metal ball the blacksmith made and whipped it at an alley wall. It rebounded with a ring and shot straight back to her hand.

She kept that up for almost half an hour. Each throw becoming more complex. She only stopped because someone walked up next to her.

“Hey,” Lin said.

“What do you want?” Liza snipped.

Lin turned to stare at the alley wall. “Azure said he’d save our friends.”

“I know Lindsay.” Liza answered.

Lin frowned. “They why are you so angry?”

“Because he keeps treating us like kids! I want to help!” She hocked the ball at the wall again, not caring where it went. It bounced with a spin back to her other hand.

Lin pulled at his sleeves. “So let’s do more training like he said.”

“You know that would take too long. We need to save Sarah and the others now. Who knows what those elves are doing.” The ball ricocheted off the wall and into her hand again.

“So let him do it?” Lin was puzzled.

“I know! I just… Lin, we’re in a brand new world! We were summoned to be heroes. We’re special! And now he comes along and I don’t feel it anymore.” Liza had stopped throwing the ball.

“I kinda get what you mean.” Lin looked over to Liza. “He has this entire language that casts magic, but all he’s done is use it defensively.”

Liza nodded. “Saving us from space was so cool. Why couldn’t he just do that with the others.”

The two fell into an uncomfortable silence as they remembered their friends. Their eyes held a vacant and unfocused look. It hurt to see them like that and it hurt more believing they could have done something to save them.

“We could follow him.” Lin said, breaking the silence.

“How? He’ll just teleport there.” Liza said.

“I can bring us to him. You aren’t the only one practicing. I’ve been able to think of a few symbols for magic and I can probably use some to follow Azure.” Lin said.

“Lin you genius!” Liza exclaimed, scooping the boy up into a hug.

“U-um, Y-yeah thanks.” Lin stammered.

----

Azure finished up writing the last of his spells he wanted ready before the encounter with Manal. He had prepared several barrier and binding spells. The hope was that he would tie up everyone and then use an awakening spell to remove the strange mind control.

Each barrier spell was tied to either his armor or some other durable material. The binding spells were simple earth manipulation. A single cast would open a hole around the target and then bury them up to their head. The awakening spells had been tricky to think up until he remembered the eight auspicious symbols from his past life. The conch could represent awakening and would hopefully make the other teens snap out of it.

He was still wearing the armor, as well as a few extra pieces. Someone had found a scarf and helmet, which Azure used to cover his entire head. He could finally look into a mirror without losing his mind. Who cares if he looked like an armored Jawa; he was finally comfortable. As he was storing his quills the door to his room opened once more.

“Yes?” He said.

“Came to see how you are before leaving,” Lau said.

“Oh hi Lau. I feel better now.” Azure said, trying to make his voice confident.

It didn’t seem to work, as Lau walked over to look Azure in the eye. “You are very brave and generous.” The Kupua said.

“What?” Azure was confused.

“You do not have to help these people. From what have been told there is no reason to. Yet you are. That is generous. And now you plan to take on an army to save others. That is brave.” Lau’s gaze was intense.

Azure looked up at the taller man. “I’m not. Not really. If I don’t do this, who will?”

“Ryum, Anith, Liza, Lin,” Lau stated matter-of-factly.

“Liza and Lin are kids,” Azure argued.

“Old enough,” Lau replied.

Azure frowned. “I can’t let them go into danger like that.”

“Why not? Liza wants to.” Lau said.

“They’ll get hurt. And Anith can’t fight at all. And Ryum doesn’t care about their friends at all.” Azure was spilling out all the arguments in his head now.

“Those are all their problems. Why do you need to solve them?” Lau questioned.

Azure thought. Lau was stating every argument Azure had with himself last night. Finally, he came to an answer. “Because I can help. If I walked away, I couldn’t forgive myself.”

Lau smiled. “That is why you are brave and generous. When you are done helping, take a trip south of Kitch. There are islands where more Kupua live. Tell them Lau sent you. Still have land there and you are free to use it for a time.”

“Wow, thank you Lau.” Azure said gratefully.

Lau waved off the thanks. “No trouble. Am not using it and one generosity deserves another.”

Lau brought Azure’s arm up to clasp and then walked out of the room. “Know you have a friend in Lau if you ever need it.” And with that, the Kupua parted.

The next person to enter Azure’s room was Anith.

“Ryum scouts found the army. They confirmed the heroes are with them.” She said.

Azure stood, gathering his things. “Thanks, Anith.”

Anith looked at Azure. “Don’t die.”

Azure smiled, though Anith couldn’t see because of his coverings. “I won’t.” He said.

She led him over to one of the scouts. “Pana here can tell you what you need.”

Azure looked to Pana, directing him to speak.

“The Kitch army was spotted three days from the village of Tupakta. By their travel time, they will most likely reach the town by evening today. We expect them to camp for the night and then attack at dawn.” Pana rattled off the info, taking pains to make sure Azure and Anith heard every word.

“Got it,” Azure confirmed. “I can take people to the village as long as there are enough people who’ve been there before.”

Pana’s eyes bulged. “What?”

“It’s true,” Anith corroborated Azure’s statement. “It is how we were able to arrive so quickly.”

“Let me inform the commanders!” Pana yelled as he ran off.

Minutes later Azure was standing before the king and two others. They introduced themselves as General of the Mountains and General of the Plains.

“Can you truly take an army to Tupakta in an instant?” The king asked. The two generals stared expectantly.

“As long as the person has visited before, I can take them. Though I will need someone who has been multiple times so I can travel along.” Azure answered.

The two generals looked at each other in excitement, but the king was still calm. “You must understand I cannot just take your word for it. What proof do you have?”

“One moment your majesty,” Azure answered. He pulled out his prepared book and ripped out one of the gate spells he created. Casting it, Azure instantly moved from standing a few feet in front of the king to a mere foot before the general of the plains.

Startled, the general jumped back and tripped, falling down on his rump. Now the king did look excited.

“I will round up as many of our soldiers as I can. Generals!” Shouted Inti. “Find all of our soldiers who have traveled to Tupakta, the more the better!”

The two generals saluted. “Yes, Lord!” They said, and marched off.

“You might have saved an entire village today Azure.” The king said.

“Happy to help,” Azure replied. He was a little surprised to find that he actually meant it.