Master Keitou and Delta stand in front of the blackboard that has been rolled into the makeshift meeting room. Today, we are going on our big mission, and Master Keitou is here to explain it all to us. Delta is there to write important notes on the board, because she was made to volunteer for the job by her wife. She grumbles along and does her job well, with good handwriting to boot.

“While we are here in Mount Osore,” Master Keitou begins, “we can use the Multiverse Portal Generator to cross through to other worlds, but only in a limited capacity. The energy in this area is immense, but the power required to open the portal is such that only four or five people can enter at one time.

“Because of this, we will be splitting up the Systemless Squad into four teams of two people, each visiting a different world and bringing back whatever resources or assistance we can find. We do not know the danger that lies on the other side, so we must make these pairs very carefully. For each pair, we will have one member proven to have great combat strength, and another who is... less proven.” There are some grumbles and giggles in the group. “We must make absolutely sure that the U.S. military does not confirm our presence, and certainly not allow any of our members to be captured, under any circumstances.

“Now, before we decide on our pairs, let me detail each of the worlds we will be visiting:

“First, is world Destignation X-J55-C, also known as Mortal Rim.

“It’s a vast and dangerous world filled with gigantic monsters who roam and attack anything in sight, and the humans of this world live on large, highly defended walking cities that roam the planet in search of resources.”

As Master Keitou says this, I realize that this is the world that The Goddess intended for me to reincarnate on! She pressed wrong buttons and I ended up on Earth, but in a normal version of events I’d be living there right this instant. I wonder how that journey would have gone. Would this war have even existed?

“The next world is called Warring Core.

“It’s a world with one megacity floating up high in an infinite sky, divided up into various factions based on its complex magic system. The politics and treachery there will make it difficult to make headway there in terms of allies, but even gaining the support of just one faction could be welcome.

“Then there is Balloon World. It’s a beginner world, where according to The Goddess, people will be reincarnated if they are killed too many times with bad karmic destiny attached to them. It is a largely safe world, but it is not without its benefits... Apparently.” Master Keitou keeps glancing at The Goddess as she says this.

“And finally, there is Lava World.

“Not much is known about Lava World, except that it is a world covered in volcanoes and hot flowing rivers of, um, lava. There is said to be great treasure there, but to what extent is a mystery, and unfortunately the deity who created it does not remember.”

Now everyone is looking at The Goddess.

“So.” Master Keitou puts her arms behind her back and begins pacing back and forth. “Who will volunteer for which world?”

At this, Julie raises her hand.

“Yes?”

“Warring Core, please,” Julie says. “If it is a world with complexity and ambiguity, I think I’ll be able to navigate it the best. Not to judge the rest of the group, but tact is not one of our collective strong suits.” Murmurs of agreement. “I’ll do my best to broker something while I am there.”

“And your partner?”

“I decided on Francis.” At this, Francis, sitting next to me, stands up and waves.

“Wait, what? Francis, really?” I ask. “You’re going with Julie?”

“Well, yeah,” he says, a little quietly. “Not like we should go together, you know? Kind of... It’d distract from the mission while we still have stuff unsettled.”

Stuff unsettled? What does he mean by that?

“Great. Delta, write that on the board,” Master Keitou says.

“Already done,” Delta grumbles.

“Okay, then, how about Mortal Rim? It is a world that requires great power just to survive.”

I start to raise my hand, but I’m beaten to the punch by a very enthusiastic Pablo.

“I volunteer as tribute!” he shouts. “In my life, I’ve always wanted to be someone heroic, someone strong. I can’t pass up an opportunity to prove myself and get out of the shadow of Eryk Solbourne.” He says my name with a venom that takes me by complete surprise. What did I do to him? Oh, wait.

Then, The Goddess’s hand shoots up too. “I’ll go too!”

“Really?” Master Keitou asks. “I didn suspect you for someone who wanted to go at all, The Goddess.”

“Yep, I wanna do it. I’m ready and eager.”

“Okay then. We’ll mark it down then as Pablo and Goddess for Mortal Rim. Next, how about... Lava World?”

Immediately, little Esther hops on her feet and raises a hand up.

Everyone turns to her, shocked.

“I will go to Lava World. Destiny brings me there, and so I will follow.” She smiles innocently.

“Um...” Master Keitou looks back and forth to Delta and Julie, who seem equally as caught off guard.

“Also,” Esther says, “I will bring Abby Faulker as an escort.” She scurries over to her friend and raises her arm for her. “She’s going to protect me.”

“I’m—what?” Abby seems just as confused as everyone else.

“Am I allowed to say no? You don’t want to go to Balloon World?”

“No. Abby and I will do just fine, and we will help fulfill the timeline through our journey.”

Master Keitou seems unconvinced. “Are we really okay with two teenage girls going to LAVA WORLD by themselves?”

The others look to each other.

Delta over at the blackboard shrugs. “I trust them.”

Esther accedes. “Esther’s a strong girl. Abby is a warrior with heart.”

“Um... Okay, then. Fifteen years old and fifteen months old, and they’ll be off on adventure. Marking it down, then.”

“I am NOT fifteen,” Abby growls. “I’m sixteen.”

Master Keitou rolls her eyes and continues. “Then the last world available is Balloon World. It’ll go down to Eryk and Delta.”

Delta grimaces. “Shit, I didn’t think about that.”

“I’m willing to go,” Eryk says, “but what about you, Master Keitou?”

She huffs. “I have my own mission. One that I can do only alone. I’m headed to Mystix on a one-way journey. The portal will reopen for all of you when you alert your beacons. But I will not bring one.”

“What!” I hop to my feet. “Take me with you! I need to return to Mystix. My home is in so much danger.”

“No. You are needed elsewhere. What I will do in Mystix will most likely lead to my demise. But it will be fine, because I can make one glorious visit to the land I have had visions of, glimpses deep in my memory of, for as long as I can remember. I will meet with whatever resistance still exists there, and I will create a plan that can destroy the U.S. military there for good. The groundwork for your arrival will be laid.”

“I understand,” I say reluctantly. “I have only one request.”

“What is it?”

“If you see my sibling, Rare Solbourne, tell them I still love them. And if you see my close friend Mestopholees, tell her I love her as well. They both deserve a chance at redemption if they are willing to seek it.”

“I don’t know who either of these people are, but I will do my best,” she says. “Now then... Everyone, on your feet!”

Everyone stands up.

“Prepare your supplies. Our multiversal mission begins... Now!”