The Dream

It’s been a couple of hours since then.

True to his word, Arin managed to find his contact who is currently keeping me safe and untouched inside a holding cell.

It seems it’s mandatory to do so as I am not the only one who is being requested to appear. Thankfully, I have my own cell–completely having it all for myself.

At neighboring cells, I saw at least 4 people staying inside of them—some cells even have humans in them. Of course, the sight of another human being brought to the cells isn’t that rare anymore, especially with the current climate.

They keep on trying to get my attention with hushed voices but I ignore them for now. I remember what Arin told me: don’t talk with anyone aside from his contact.

I wonder what they’re doing right now. Things went by fast the moment the princess left the room.

Everyone went back to their duties and Arin talked with the officials once again to ask for his contact.

Supposedly, the reason why his contact couldn’t be reached is because the king’s recent advisor, Elzara, the princess’s cousin, is meddling with Arin behind the scenes.

Arin mentioned before that Elzara is like a snake—always slithering about until it is time to strike his competitors.

During that time, Elvina and Felaris were keeping me company. Unprovoked, Elvina started talking about Princess Rhiannon.

“Princess Rhia… She’s still the same as before but also different.”

Rhia? Is that her nickname or something?

“Elvina, do you know the princess personally?” I inquired as it made me curious why she stopped the princess earlier.

“Yes… Arin used to be the king’s main advisor, and the court mage of Glimmerholm. I guess we never mentioned that.”

“So, you were already with Arin at that time?”

“Yes. Felaris too. We were already Arin’s associates at the time. Arin would often teach princess Rhia magic—of course, we were there too. That’s how I got to know her.”

“I could barely recognize her. She used to be just like a kid, but now, she has the look of a killer.” Felaris interrupted.

“I agree. Perhaps if we haven’t left for Hollowspire, then maybe we could’ve prevented the kidnapping of Princess Thalia.”

Princess Thalia? Is she Princess Rhiannon’s older sister that got enslaved by humans?

“Don’t say that. Remember what Arin told us. We couldn’t have done anything about it.”

“Y-You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Still, since you mentioned that, at the time, I overheard that there was a possibility of it being an inside job.”

“What?!” Elvina exclaimed.

“Shh… This isn’t public knowledge.”

“Who else knows about this?”

“Apart from me, Arin, whom I told it to and the investigators who I overheard it from. Tragically, those same investigators went missing too just after their probing.”

“That’s terrible!”

So, to my understanding, the kidnapping and enslaving of Princess Rhiannon’s older sister is made possible by someone inside this palace? That’s a terrible thought.

Silence befalls the two. Elvina turns towards me, a weary smile on her face.

“Naoki, will you be alright?”

“I don’t know… but I trust in Arin.” I answered frankly.

She replaced her weary smile with one that is livelier.

Soon after that interaction, Arin’s contact arrives—quite flustered with his tardiness, and me and him made our way down the holding cells to wait until it’s my time at court.

Which brings us to the present. My human cell-neighbors are quite persistent with them trying to get my attention. Arin said no talking so that’s what I’ll do.

I hear what they’re saying under their bated breaths. One is asking what was I in for which quickly got called out by his friends as a stupid question since there’s only one reason why a human is even alive deep inside elven territory: to extract any information about Princess Thalia.

It seems even after all these years; the elven royal family are still looking for her. I admire that, is what I would say but ordering the slaughter of innocent humans who know nothing is not something to strive for.

Another person is asking about my clothes and if I’m someone important. Of course, I have no pedigree in this world to refer to, and apart from knowing a Lord, I’m not important in the slightest.

The barrage of questions came in as I keep ignoring them until eventually, they stop. Before they completely stop though, another person said something that made me feel uneasy.

“Don’t worry, kid. We’ll be safe soon.” Their voice was hoarse, probably an older gentleman.

It may very well be wishful thinking on their side but my body can’t help but be worried—goose bumps kept creeping on me.

Not much have happened today and yet, it feels like it’s been a long day. My body felt tired—probably from all the worrying that I’ve been doing.

I decided to take a nap. Now would be the perfect time for it, especially since the people next door have shut up.

The bed that I lay in is comfortable enough—perhaps I’ve been spoiled by the hospitality they gave me back in Hollowspire.

I slowly doze off and eventually, I lose consciousness.

.

.

.

I dream of nothing in particular but it feels like I am being guided towards somewhere.

I open my eyes and I’m back at the forest. Not in Glimmerholm or Hollowspire—not even Eldergrove, but the forest that I dreamed of before even being transported into this world. The one with the sleeping Princess Rhiannon.

Only this time, Rhiannon is nowhere to be found. It is the same spot though; at least I think it is. It’s very hard to tell with no landmarks around.

My attention gets stolen by a rustling of a bush nearby. An animal pounced out into the open, leaving it exposed to the elements.

A fox. It sniffed the grass around it like it’s new to this place. Then it slowly crept up to me—still sniffing its surroundings. It starts to sniff me and it visibly flails back.

“I’m not smelly!” I said to the creature as I attempted to smell myself, as if to confirm one thing or the other. It didn’t matter though.

“You do not belong here.” A deep, husky voice came out of the fox’s mouth.

I flail backwards carelessly, hitting my head on a tree. The pain didn’t even register—how is a fox talking?!

It walks up to me and sits in front as if it’s waiting for some kind of response.

“Calm down, calm down! This is just a dream.” I tried to compose myself to no avail.

“This is no dream, you fool.” The fox uttered.

What does it mean by not a dream?! This is clearly a dream.

I pinched myself as an attempt to wake me up but I only ended up with an aching face. People on TV are such liars! Pinching yourself awake doesn’t work!

This can’t be. This is the same place as before from my dream so why is it real?!

I look back at the fox who’s clearly amused by my befuddlement. I have no other choice but to probe it for answers.

“What are you?”

“I am a fox.” It answered straightforwardly.

What the hell?! It’s like I’m arguing with a kid.

“Okay… who are you then?” At his point, I’m extremely confused.

“The more important question is… who are you?”

Seriously? A “no-u” retort? This must be a joke! I grab the fox by its neck and lifted it up in the air.

I look into its face and it starts to distort slowly into a horrific, mind-bending monster. I let go in disgusts—it slowly returned to normal.

Okay, okay! Maybe this is real.

“So, tell me child, who are you?” The fox asked once more.

I don’t want it to change into an eldritch monster again—I have enough trauma as it is.

“I-I’m Naoki. Naoki Kusunoki.”

The fox shakes its head left and right. I guess it’s not satisfied with my answer.

“You misunderstand. Who are YOU?”

Who am I? My parent’s son? A friend to my associates? No, I don’t think it’s asking for that. Who am I…

“I… I’m from another world—born in a nation from the east called Japan—a magnificent place to live in. Now, I find myself stuck in this world, with seemingly no other way back—no way to contact family and friends. The plight of the elves is a formidable one, and I want to help them!”

An image of Princess Rhiannon’s face flashed into my mind. Perhaps because I felt pity for her when I heard her story? I do not know completely.

“Is that all?” The fox seemed disappointed with my answer.

“… I want to save them. I want to save the princess. I want to be… a hero!” I said it.

“A hero, you say? Truly a most noble of ambitions. Very well! Naoki Kusunoki! You shall become my champion!”

Champion? What is this thing talking about? I don’t even know who you are yet!

“Our time has run out, my champion. Soon, a dilemma, you will face. Make the right choice, and you will surely become a hero!”

My eyelids suddenly become heavy—I’m falling right back to sleep.

But I thought I was already asleep? Wait, no. This isn’t the time to be thinking about this!

“Hey, wait! Tell me your name!”

The fox only stared back at me.

“Are you God?! Are you giving me powers?”

It’s a bit silly to yell it out loud but, if I’m going by how Isekai anime usually goes, this fox should be giving me super powers that will help me accomplish my quests.

Everything went to black.

I slowly opened my eyes and find myself in a dimly lit room. I’m back in the cell.

Just what was that dream about? I’d really want to know.

A talking fox, my purpose of being here, becoming a champion, and a dilemma approaching.

All this thinking is exhausting my brain. Instead, I recall a thought I had just before I woke up: super powers.

I open my hand towards the wall, close my eyes in concentration, and shout, “Fireball!” but nothing happened.

“Damn it!” I guess there’s no powers for me.