Another World

“What’s your dream?”

“I-I’d like one where I have a family.” I said. No one in the interview seemed to like my answer.

Ms. Hilda sighs. “He can be pessimistic at times, but he’s a bright young boy who is energetic and always helping around the orphanage.”

“I see. Thank you again.”

I bow to the visiting couple as they leave the room. Another interview failed. It’s only my sixth interview since arriving at the orphanage, but I feel as if I’ve done hundreds.

“Eiric, there is nothing wrong with lying to make yourself look better. Sometimes white lies are necessary even. You want a family, right?”

Ms. Hilda holds my shoulders as she looks at me with a somber smile. Most kids don’t live here over a year as I have, I believe she worries more as time passes.

“I do. But it didn’t feel right. I didn’t feel like they were my family.”

“I see. Maybe we should have more meetings with the next family before the final interview. You may think they aren’t family because you need to become familiar with them first. We’ll try that. Until then… Eiric, are you sure you are ok alone?”

“Yes mam.”

“I know losing her was difficult. But you’ll find more friends, I promise.”

“Thank you, but I don’t feel like I’ve lost her.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful hun, she can always be in your memories. Off you go now, no staying up too late.”

“Thank you!”

“Another failed interview?”

“Yea.” Outside of the orphanage, I meet Sigrun at the swings.

The outside of the orphanage is gated with a playground inside where I always find Sigrun. The orphanage itself is large, the roof forbidden by Ms. Hilda after past incidents.

Sigrun was a girl my age who arrived at the orphanage a year ago. We became quick friends, or she forced me to be her friend. Always raving about how we were destined to be together and whatnot. I’m not sure what she meant, but she was a good friend.

Sigrun was adopted only weeks into her time here, she was sweet and pretty after all. But she soon returned, only for my eyes to see.

“Ew, Eiric is talking to himself again.” The other orphans say as they pass by me.

We all used to be friends, but once Sigrun returned they kept their distance.

“I’m sorry.” Sigrun said.

“Don’t be. You’re my best friend. But I wonder why only I can see you.”

“Because, I want only your eyes looking at me.”

“You say that, but it must have been magic. After all, you… wouldn’t it be better to see your family?”

“I appreciate them, but I feel the way you do. Or, I did.” Sigrun jumps off the swing, “For a moment, they showed me another world and life. This always happens, I falter. Eiric, you always say your family is somewhere out there, far away. But what if you gave a family here a chance? Do you think you would prefer that over a life of struggle?”

“I’m not sure, but I don’t want to be alone anymore. I’m scared. My first family didn’t want me, what if none here do.”

“Then come with me, I’ll take you to your family.”

Sigrun offers me her hand. “Do you know where they are?”

“I do. They’re with me, in this world.”

I take Sigrun’s hand. I never could explain why I trusted her as I do, my body just felt a natural comfort around her. Although she approached me first, I found myself wishing to be near her often.

Standing on the orphanage’s roof, the wind pushes me back as my body trembles from a fear of heights. Sigrun continues to hold my hand, though her smile has long since disappeared. Soon, she begins to cry.

“Are you ok? What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry. If I could find another way, I would. Even if it meant losing you, I would prefer you lived a happy, peaceful life here. But you always call to me, and I always answer. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. When I hold your hand like this, I believe you are right. My family is wherever you are. Let’s find them together.”

“I’m sorry. This is as much as I can do for now. Eiric, I promise we’ll find each other. When we do, please forgive me.”

“Ok, I promise I will. Let’s find each other soon, we can introduce our families.”

“Yes!”

Together, we take the step forward.

·

“Huh?!”

Eiric falls. Of course, he walked off the roof of a building, but he’s amongst the clouds as he wakes.

“Ah! Help!”

Sigrun is nowhere to be found. Furthermore, the orphanage and city are gone.

Below Eiric is a massive hovering castle. The area surrounding it is vast clear land with a large forest to the south.

Eiric has no time to take in the beauty as he continues to fall, his previous acceptance of fate now gone without Sigrun at his side.

“Help!”

“Hey kid, this isn’t the way in you know.” A tiny winged man wearing a green tunic hovers next to Eiric as he flips through a book, “What’s your name?”

“E-Eiric. Can you help me?”

“Help? Gods help us if the angels find out you snuck in here. Eiric…Eiric… Ah! Eiric. A human, surprising. Says here you can fly, get to it and follow me.”

“I can’t fly!”

“Hahaha, I’m just pulling your leg. Let’s stop here.”

Eiric’s body stops and hovers next to the tiny man.

“Oh, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now, I’ve got a long line coming in today, I’ll make this quick. Welcome to Ymirra! Yes, a new world. Yes, there’s magic. No, I’m a fairy. Stay out of trouble, have fun, use your blessing. And, hey, if you know what’s good for you, this never happened. Now off you go!”

“Wait!”

“What?! Don’t scare me like that, small heart you know.”

“There was a girl with me, Sigrun.”

“A girl. If another one of you comes falling down from the sky it’ll be our heads. She likely came in the front entrance like a proper reincarnation. Now off you go!”

Eiric makes a safe landing at the front of the castle. Tall stone guards line the stairs that are filled with all kind of beings.

Large wolves are walked up the stairs by the tallest man Eiric has ever seen, they’re at least ten feet tall. Above fly large owls and winged creatures with snake like bodies. Both are colorful unlike the brown and black wolves, but Eiric has never seen anything like them before.

To add to Eiric’s astonishment, men and women that have characteristics of animals such as wolves and birds climb the stairs. Eiric is the only child within eyesight, but the stairs are divided into lanes that surround the castle.

“I enjoyed being a wolfman, but I think the elf lifestyle might be more enjoyable.”

“You know we don’t keep our memories. What the, look, a human.”

“I thought those things weren’t allowed into heaven.”

“Are you kidding? They’re the worst.”

All eyes turn to Eiric who shrinks from the pressure of the sudden glares. He is the only human around, the mere chance of it brings unbridled hatred.

Before anyone can approach Eiric, the doors of the castle swing open. The guards around the castle salute by placing their right hand over their heart. All sound ceases; attention now focused on the woman walking to the top of the stairs.

The woman is tall and has six wings, her long brown hair floats behind her, and her clothing is nothing like what Eiric believed an angel would wear. The angel wears silver and gold armor that covers most of her body; strange glowing symbols are embroidered within every inch.

“Ah, welcome everyone.” Her voice reaches everyone despite their distance, “You’ve all done wonderful to make it here, your new lives sure to be a pivotal piece to the future Ymirra deserves.”

The world becomes dark and empty; the tall angel now stands before Eiric.

“Oh my, I didn’t expect a human here today. I’m not sure we have a blessing ready for you… say, what is your name?”

“Eiric.” He responded without control of himself.

“Eiric. A wonderful name. I am Verdandi, the welcoming angel. Forgive me for scaring you, my eyes were simply drawn your way. Humans have a special role you see.” Verdandi kneels and holds Eiric’s head with her hands. They’re warm, comforting, Eiric is entranced by her. “Yes. Your blessing, your sacrifice will bring peace. Never forget this Eiric.”

“I won’t.”

“Wonderful!”

The world returns. Eiric standing where he did when Verdandi appeared. She waves before returning to the castle with everyone proceeding inside as well.

Everyone seems happier now that they have met Verdandi, but Eiric can only feel dread.