The Beginning of a Journey

Edward’s face was blank as he processed what he had been told.

‘Solaris? I’ve really been taken to another world? This definitely can’t be real…’

He winced as he felt a sharp sting on his side, and looked to see the cut from that hooded man’s knife. It wasn’t a severe wound, but there were still stains in his shirt and pants from the leaking blood. He looked at his reddened right hand, then swayed on his feet as he suddenly felt lightheaded.

Colette whistled. “Whoa, that’s a good cut. Not something I can’t fix! Come here a sec.”

She stepped forward and knelt down to bring a hand over the wound. A soft pink glow emanated from her palm, and Edward felt a pleasantly warm sensation. His expression turned to one of incredulousness, as within a matter of seconds the cut healed entirely, leaving only a faint scar behind.

“What the hell…” He said quietly.

She gave him a wink as she stood up. “Some minor healing magic. It’s not my strong suit, but it helps for small things like that. Anyway, let’s head to the castle!”

She walked into town with a proud stride, and Edward reluctantly followed her with careful steps, still a little weak from blood loss.

‘I don't know what this place is, or why I’m here.’ He thought with apprehension. ‘She seems to know everything, so I’ll follow her for now. I just hope I can go back to my place…’

As they stepped into town, his skepticism was replaced by awe and confusion. It was almost like he had gone back in time, with the medieval style architecture around him. The cobblestone streets were smaller and devoid of cars, and hundreds of people went about their day, with some standing aside to converse with each other in hushed tones.

Nearly everyone stopped and turned their heads when Colette strode by, and some of them waved and greeted her in excitement.

“Your Majesty, good afternoon!”

“You’re as beautiful as always!”

“It’s an honor to be graced with your presence!”

She laughed and waved back with enthusiasm. “Thank you, thank you! I love you all! I can’t stay though, got some royal business to take care of!”

Some grew curious as they took notice of the shorter man behind her, and began to whisper amongst each other. Though Edward kept his head down, he still overheard their words.

“Who is that guy?”

“What odd clothes…”

“He looks kinda scary…”

“Why is he following the Princess?”

“How long until we get out of here?” He whispered harshly to Colette.

“Not too long!” She replied jovially.

After navigating through a few streets, they entered a plaza where a massive church stood above all. Colette smiled and waved a hand as she pointed it out.

“This is where we worship The Goddess of Worlds, Lumina.”

Edward blinked in confusion. “Goddess of Worlds?”

“She’s the reason why you’re here. You’re her Chosen One, the Hero of Worlds.”

Upon being called a hero again, he scowled and shook his head in irritation.

“I’m no hero, you have the wrong guy. Can you just take me back home?”

The Princess frowned and narrowed her eyes. “Trying to chicken out? Sorry, but you’re not going back to your world until you complete your duty.”

“What even is this duty!?”

“I’ll explain in a minute! Now hurry up!”

Her footsteps became heavier as she led the retailer towards a gate with iron bars. Two soldiers in plated armor stood on guard, but they immediately stepped aside and saluted as Colette approached. After giving them a nod, she pushed open the gate and led Edward through a vast garden of flowers.

At the end was a grand four-towered castle that overlooked the whole city. Atop each tower, a red flag waved in the gentle wind, and their golden lions shone under the sun.

“Welcome to my home, Sir Edward!” Colette said with a big grin.

Edward crossed his arms and sighed. ‘It’s nice and all, but…’

“Can you please drop the ‘Sir’ part?” He grumbled aloud.

_____________________________________

Edward was now in a massive dining hall, seated on one side of a long table that was decorated with candlesticks and flower vases. Several plates of food were arranged neatly, looking more fresh and hearty than anything from the convenience store.

On the other side was Colette and her father, King Alexandre, who was a middle-aged man with dull orange hair and a height to match his daughter’s.

“I know you must be confused, Sir Edward.” He said in an apologetic manner. “Rest assured, we shall explain everything you need to know.”

Edward leaned back with his arms crossed. “Okay, first thing. Where exactly am I, and why the hell am I here?”

“Like I said before, you’re in Solaris, a world far from your own.” Princess Colette answered. “The Goddess of Worlds, Lumina, has chosen you to be a hero who’ll save all of her worlds.”

He put a hand over his face, then withdrew it as he saw the dried blood on his skin. He stared with twitching eyes for a moment, hardly comprehending what he had literally been dragged into.

‘I nearly died, and they expect me to be a damn…’

“...I think you have the wrong guy.” He said with bitterness. “I mean, I’m just a store clerk. I’m not cut out to be some savior.”

Colette shook her head. “You’re wrong, Sir Edward. The World Sword that was in your hands earlier? It’s proof The Goddess has chosen you. Your duty now is to accompany me, this world’s Star Maiden, and save it from being destroyed by the God of Worlds, Nocturne.”

“And if I help you, and somehow succeed, I can go back to my world?”

“Not right away, other worlds still need your help. But for now, just focus on mine.”

Edward frowned deeply and looked down as he thought more about his situation.

‘No way around it…I’m stuck being a so-called hero for a goddess I’ve never heard of, to fight a god I also didn’t know about. There’s no way I can do this…’

He glanced up at Colette and Alexandre, who were looking at him with expectant eyes.

“Please, Sir Edward.” The King pleaded with his hands folded on the table. “Without you, my daughter can’t complete the mission bestowed upon her.”

Edward let out a defeated sigh. “I don’t really have a choice…I’ll help you, but don’t expect much from me.”

Alexandre nodded with a relieved smile. “Thank you, Hero. Tomorrow morning, I’ll make your arrival and journey known to the public.”

His daughter grinned eagerly. “We’ll be leaving very early, so get as much rest as you can! I’ll have a maid guide you to your room after dinner! So let’s dig in already!”

With that said, Colette picked up a fork and a sharp knife, then swiftly sliced off a big piece off a golden-brown turkey and put it on her plate. Her father chuckled in amusement and grabbed a bread roll, which he glazed with butter.

Edward placed a hand on his stomach as he heard it rumble, now realizing how hungry he was.

‘With everything that happened earlier, I wasn’t able to eat…’ He thought wearily.

He tentatively grabbed a bread roll and bit into it. Almost immediately, he felt its fluffy texture, and a faintly sweet taste melted on his tongue. It was nothing like store-bought bread…

It caused childhood memories to resurface. He thought about when he used to sit with his parents at the dinner table, and eat the homecooked meals his mother made.

It had been so long since those days…

“How is it?” Colette asked with an amused smirk. “Your eyes are bugging out there.”

Edward blinked as he snapped out of his stupor, then looked aside with an embarrassed frown as he grumbled.

“It’s…good.”

________________________________________

Later in the evening, a maid led Edward to his temporary room.

When he stepped inside, he looked around in awe from how clean it was, with its pristine floor and seamless curtains. Seeing the perfect state of this room, made him realize how terrible his apartment on Earth was.

‘...I really need to clean when I get back.’ He thought with slight disbelief. ‘If I’m not too tired, at least…’

He blinked as he sensed a gaze on him, and turned to see the maid standing outside the door with a pleassnt smile on her face.

“Is it to your liking, Sir Edward?” She inquired.

“Y-yes…” He said with a curt nod.

“That’s great to hear. If you need a bath, you have your own over there. There’s also a set of pajamas on your bed to change into.”

She gestured to a door on the left side of the room, then at the huge bed on the right side, and curtsied before turning to leave.

“Goodnight, milord.”

Once she was gone, Edward sighed and shut the door, then looked at himself with slight disgust. Besides being a bloody mess, he was starting to reek of sweat. And that’s when he figured out…

“...Dammit, they all smelled me, didn’t they…”

_______________________________________

That night, while he slept, he once again dreamt of that sea of flames.

‘This again…’ He thought tiredly while wiping his forehead.

He stepped back warily as a knight appeared out of a cloud of black smoke. Though they were hidden inside a suit of obsidian armor, Edward recognized the dark blade in their hand.

“You’re the guy who tried to kill me…” He muttered angrily. “What the hell is your problem?”

The knight pointed his blade at him. “Life is full of ruin and suffering. All worlds will end in strife. That is why…I will destroy them myself.”

Edward raised an eyebrow. ‘So…is he working for that…god they mentioned?’

“...Well, I’m the one who will save those worlds, apparently.” He said with a shrug. “I have to, or else I can’t go back. So why don’t you give up?”

The knight shook his head. “I will not. Rather, I ask that you surrender to destruction. Do you truly wish to go back, when nothing but suffering awaits you?”

Edward opened his mouth to retort, then closed it and blinked, taken aback by the question.

‘He’s right…Why do I want to go back?’ He thought in hesitation. ‘I have nothing there that matters to me…Like he said, life is just full of suffering…’

He winced as his head started to ache, and he remembered words from his old friend.

‘Stay alive, Ed…You have to…’

“...Stay alive…” The dark-haired man murmured.

He shook his head as he snapped out of it, then gave the black knight a more firm glare.

“Maybe I have nothing waiting for me back there, but…I’m not going to let you murder me. If you want to, then we’ll have to fight.”

The knight stared at him for a moment, as if in contemplation, then turned around and walked into the flames.

“So be it.” He said as the dream began to fade. “Grow stronger, and we shall duel the next time we meet.”

______________________________________

Edward was awoken by a heavy knock on the door, which was opened a second later.

“Hey, it’s time to get up!” Princess Colette announced.

He groaned as he sat up and looked at the window with a drowsy frown. The sun was barely peeking over the horizon, signalling a very early morning. If he had to guess, it was probably past 5 AM in his world’s terms…At least he was used to getting up this early.

He crawled off the rather huge bed and reached for his work clothes, only for Colette to call out in a stern tone.

“Oh no, you’re not going in those!”

She strode over and handed him a bundle of clothes, which consisted of a white tunic with matching pants, brown boots, and a black travel cloak.

“What’s wrong with my clothes?” He said with a skeptical look.

She snickered. “Besides the fact that they’re a mess? You need an outfit suitable for a hero. I think I got your measurements right, so try ‘em on!”

“I’m not a hero…but alright. Just wait outside, okay?”

______________________________________

Some time later, they were outside the city walls, where a farmer was waiting with a couple of horses, one of them somewhat bigger with a white coat and red caparison.

“May the Goddess smile upon you both.” He said in a solemn manner.

Princess Colette gave thanks and nodded, then climbed aboard the white horse with ease. Meanwhile, Edward stared at his horse warily, while it stared back with curiosity.

As it wasn’t being unfriendly, he sighed in relief and went to climb onto the saddle and take the reins. With them both ready, Colette spurred her horse into a walk, and he followed suit.

The reluctant hero then looked down and contemplated last night’s dream.

‘The black knight…Didn’t Colette call him something when they fought?’

“Hey, Colette.” He said aloud while looking at her. “Who was that guy who tried to kill me?”

She glanced back with a serious expression. “The Champion of Nocturne. Just as you are Lumina’s Chosen One, Nocturne has his own agent overseeing the destruction of all worlds. So train well, because in the end you will have to fight him.”

He nodded, then looked down again as he thought with an uncertain frown.

‘Even though I know I have to, I don’t know if I’ll be able to fight that guy. I’m no hero…Why was I chosen for this?’