I awoke in a swamp leaning my back against a shriveled up tree. That’s strange, I went to sleep in my room… I stood up and looked at my surroundings. I couldn't see far into the swamp as a deep black mist covered the area. The further ahead, the darker it was. A dark figure walked through the mist towards me, I was frozen in place. Getting closer, I could notice the crimson glowing eyes. “Awaken…” a scratchy voice arose from the figure as it flashed a smile which reached from ear to ear.

huff huff huff… Damn, what was that about? I came about to my room and looked at my clock, 12:35 PM. It was a Saturday and I didn't have school. Quickly getting dressed I ran down to the fridge to grab something to eat. Yawn… There’s nothing in here…. I closed the fridge. I guess I have to go out to eat something.

I’m eighteen years old and in the last quarter of high school, it feels great knowing that I don’t have to go to school anymore after this. I get average grades so I doubt I would do good in any college. The best thing I could get would be a business degree… My parents split after middle school after my mom found out my dad was cheating on her. Sigh as for that I ended up going with my mom and when she met her new boyfriend they paid for me to live in my own apartment, so they could just enjoy their time together without having me around. I guess I remind her of my dad.

As I walked down to the store to pick up some food, I realised there wasn’t really many people around. I was walking down an alleyway so I guess that could be the reason, but usually I see kids running around back here. I kept walking without any mind in the world, as I turned the corner there was the dark figure that I saw in my dreams standing there. I could see it more clearly. As I go to turn around, I see the dark mist in my peripherals. It swoops around and closes off my escape, this can’t be real. I turn around and ask, “What do you want with me?”

It grinned, “I ask that you remain silent. This will only hurt a little bit.” I stared back into the red eyes, it felt as if my soul was leaving me. The dark mist that surrounded me began to swirl at my feet. The floor around me began to shine, a pain arose in my chest. My heart felt as if it was bursting out of my chest. guh collapsing on the floor panting, I look up. This was the last image I saw before I went unconscious.

---

“This just in, we got five amber alerts simultaneously. This is the first time we've had a problem arise this big.” A man was looking at a camera, sitting in a room with a desk in front of him. “These five people have been reported missing for the past 24 hours. If you happen to see one of them please call 911.” Images flashed across the screen of the five people. Zooming in one the first one, “This is Dante, he’s 18 years old. Caucasian, Black hair, standing about 5’11”…” The image switched.

---

hugh… my vision gradually came to, I was laying on the ground next to four people in what seemed to be a citadel. As I sat up, the others did too. There were people dressed in armor surrounding us and a man with a crown on his head embedded with glistening crystals. He wore a long robe that was even more luxurious than his crown. He had a joyous look on his face, “We have succeeded!” After studying each of us, he had a weird look on his face. “But that is weird, This should only have summoned four heroes”.

We were all standing now, still surrounded by the soldiers. I looked at the others who were laying on the ground with me. There were three guys and a girl. The blonde headed guy stepped forward, “What do you mean? I was sitting on my computer when suddenly I passed out and I woke up here.” The others started to complain, but no one mentioned a dark figure in the talk.

“Calm down, calm down,” The man, who I assumed is a king, motioned for the armored guards to disperse.”You have been summoned by a ritual, that has been passed down in the royal family for generations.” He had a proud look on his face, “This has been the first time it has been used since centuries ago.” Everyone was stunned, that doesn't explain at all why we are here though?

“Well, what does that have to do with us being here?” Good job blondy, you must be the smartest one here.

“Ah, but it does.” The king laughed, “The reason you have all been summoned here is to fight against the enemies of the human race.” He walked around and looked up at a mural which most likely an image of the Goddess that they serve, “They are the vilest of creatures, and have been banished to the dark by the gods, They are the demons that roam the earth.” He spitefully yelled the last part. He turned to look our way and with a clap he exclaimed, “Alright, well since we have time, let us start the hero process!” As he finished his sentence near the entrance of the citadel, two big, wooden doors slid open revealing a figure walking through. It was an absolute babe! She had luscious blonde hair and was rather curvy. I looked over at the other three guys and drool was dripping out of their mouths onto the floor. As she arrived in front of us the king looked at us again, “Alright everyone shall step forward one at a time and be scanned for their holy power! You will also be given an Identification card via magic.” What does that do? I wondered.

“I will volunteer to go first!”, The first to step forward was one of us guys, he was red headed and had a smug, noble look. He was just about as tall as I am, and I’m guessing that his age was around mine as well. A light surged from the ground as the lady chanted and surrounded his body with a light film. It slowly disappeared as if it was sucked into his skin. “I feel… great!” He laughed and let out of a smile.

The lady smiled, “You have been blessed by our Goddess Ariel. You have the highest level of compatibility with holy power that I have ever seen, even higher than mine! You also have amazing compatibility with lightning magic!” She was rather surprised. She handed him a card as well and as he touched it, it disappeared, “With these cards you will be able to read your power levels.” She bowed towards him and her cheeks became flushed with redness, “I hope you will be able to destroy the creatures that curse our great goddess.”

The redhead stepped back smiling after he got a good look at her chest. The others began to go forward happily as they all wanted to see what they were good with. I stayed back as I wanted to see what everyone was first. The blond one in our group had very little compatibility with holy power but he had outstanding compatibility with water magic. Next, the girl stepped up. I never really noticed because I was too distracted by the priestess, but this girl was cute as well. She was a brunette, I would give her an eight out of ten. She was pretty cute but with the priestess in the room all the guys were looking at her instead. A light shined around her feet and rose up around her and sunk into her skin. “You have decent compatibility with holy power, but your compatibility with fire magic is rather formidable.” She nodded and grinned, the brunette bowed and backed away after receiving an ID card. “Finally it’s my turn.” Everyone turned to look at the other guy in our group. He was the last guy to go besides me. He was tall and handsome, and the most muscular one here. As he stood up the Priestess started the scan. The film surrounding him was the brightest. After it disappeared the Priestess couldn't contain her excitement.

“Th..This can’t be true.” She looked towards the King, “Your Majesty, come here and look at this.”

The king walked forward and took the ID card from her hand, His grin grew even bigger than with the red head. “My god, his compatibility with holy power is outstanding, it is the same with fire magic and earth magic!” As the king handed back his ID card, the boy stepped back with a smug look on his face. What an asshole… I hated those kinds of people the most. Now it is my turn, hopefully I have good luck!

As I stepped forward I looked at the priestess, being this close I must be lucky! “I am ready, please start” as I said this, she nodded and began the scan. I began to feel a warmth surge of power entering through my feet and a film of light began to show over my skin. It was the most dim out of everyone though, as it reached my waist area it faded out all the way. “What’s the matter, did the scan fail?” I asked. The priestess looked at me and shook her head and handed me my card.

ID CARDName:DanteRace:HumanHealth:100/100MP:20/20Alignment:NeutralEXP:0%Class:HeroLevel:1StatsStrength30Intelligence20Endurance10Magic2Agility15Luck1Active SkillsBall of Light - (5 MP) : a ball of light is casted upon the area where the user resides lighting up the area around him.Passive SkillsA Hero’s blessing: Since you are a hero, you have a 25% experience boost.EquipmentNone.

This is just like an RPG? I thought as I looked at my card. As I looked up the king looked at me with a frown and the other people laughed. The redhead was holding his stomach as he was laughing and yelled, “He is the weakest one here!”. My face was flushed, Why must I have such bad luck…