The Summoned and the Substitute

Kael wandered through the endless white, the mist shifting around him like a dream. Shapes wavered at the edge of his vision until, at last, a silhouette took form.

As he drew closer, Kael's breath caught. The face was unmistakable. It was the face he had worn for months… Kazuki's face.

Kazuki lifted a hand in a short, almost awkward wave.

"Hey, Kael."

For a heartbeat, Kael just stared. Then, with a burst of emotion, he rushed forward and pulled him into a hug.

"Kazuki! The summoned hero of Numeria himself—how are you, my guy? How's the kingdom? How's everyone?"

Then he pulled back, his grin faltering into something softer.

"Sorry… I got carried away. It's just—this is our first time actually meeting face-to-face."

Kazuki gave a calm smile.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Kael. You're just as energetic and warm as the others."

Kael chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Guess they rubbed off on me. It's nice to meet you too, Kazuki. Sorry if I sound a bit hasty, but… did you make it? Is the kingdom safe?"

Kazuki lowered his head for a moment, then looked up again.

"Yes. The kingdom is safe. We did it."

Kael's shoulders loosened as a long sigh of relief escaped him.

"Thank the Gods…" he whispered, a smile tugging at his lips.

Kael noticed the sadness lingering in Kazuki's eyes. He stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Kazuki… is everything okay? Come on, let it out. Speak to me."

Kazuki's lips trembled, and Kael's voice softened.

"…Did something happen to the others?"

At that, Kazuki broke. Tears spilled as he choked out, "Master… Ardent… I'm sorry, Kael. He… he's gone."

Kael's own eyes widened, the sting of tears rising. "How? How did he…?"

Kazuki sobbed, his voice cracking. "He died protecting me."

Seeing him in that state, Kael pulled him into a firm embrace, guiding Kazuki's head onto his shoulder.

"It's alright, Kazuki. I don't blame you. None of the others would either—did they?"

Through his tears, Kazuki shook his head. "No. They were so kind. Their kindness hurt me more than if they blamed me."

Kael's tears fell freely now. "You weren't a seasoned fighter. And if Master Ardent sacrificed himself, then he must have had a reason."

For a long moment, they held onto each other in silence.

Finally, Kael stepped back, wiping his tears. Despite the redness in his eyes, a gentle smile broke through.

"…Okay, enough tears. Where do we start?"

Kazuki wiped his eyes, steadying his voice.

"…How's my mom? And Hana?"

Kael's expression softened. "They're both fine. Great, actually. Is everyone else good?"

Kazuki let a breath out. "Yes, they are all fine. What about you? Did you enjoy life on Earth—school, home?"

Kael chuckled. "Yeah, it's been pretty great. School's okay—exams suck—but I made friends, got popular, we won the sports festival…, found a job, went to the fireworks festival, even helped make a classroom café for the cultural festival. And—"

Kazuki suddenly cut in. "Wait—how much time has passed there?"

"Almost forty-five weeks." Kael replied. 

Kazuki's eyes widened. "Oh my god… first year is almost over."

Kael grinned. "Yeah. Finals are close. I had a theory about time moving faster on earth, guess I was right. What about you? What did you do?"

Kazuki gave a faint laugh. "Um… well. I was imprisoned, then I got a crash course in sword fighting and magic...

Kael's eyes widened. "Wait—imprisoned?"

Kazuki nodded. "Yes…. And then we defended the kingdom from a demon attack. After that we traveled into the demon lands. Oh, I almost forgot, we fought the Monster of the Mourning Sea.

Then discovered a hidden race of elves, destroyed a giant heart-shaped plant, stormed the Demon Lord's castle… and ultimately, we defeated him."

Kael's jaw dropped. "…Brother, you've achieved more than I have in my entire adventuring life."

A smile tugged at Kazuki's lips. "Maeryn and Gorran… they're going to have a child."

Kael blinked—then broke into a wide grin. "What? Really? That's amazing! Those two have been together forever—it's about time. That's… that's awesome."

Kael asked softly, "How's Zephyr? How is she doing?"

Kazuki hesitated. "She's… doing fine. And Hana?"

Kael's face lit up. "She's good too. We're in a relationship now. I really like her. Are you and Zephyr…?"

Kazuki flushed, glancing away, scratching the back of his head.

Kael smirked and reached out to grab him. "Oh, you little rascal."

"Me? Rascal?" Kazuki shot back. "You're the one who brought up relationships—I didn't start it."

"True, true," Kael chuckled. "I just wanted to make sure she's alright. She's a good girl, Kazuki. One of the best."

Kazuki's voice grew quieter. "Don't you… have a problem with me and her being together?"

Kael shook his head. "No. When I volunteered for the ritual, I was ready to sacrifice my life. Whatever happened afterward wasn't something I dwelled on. I don't like wasting time on what's beyond my control. And honestly, once I realized you were there… I felt at ease. After reading your diary, deep down, you never struck me as a bad person. So, in my mind, she was in good hands. Do you have a problem with me and Hana?"

"God, no," Kazuki said quickly. "She deserves someone good. And… I only ever heard good things about you from everyone. You're better than me at giving her the life she deserves."

Kael leaned closer, whispering in his ear. "You do remember I'm in your body on Earth, right? It's all in the mind—same body, same heart. And don't talk down on yourself. You just saved a kingdom and went through hell. If anyone else talked about me like that, I'd confront them. So why do it to yourself? Think about what you've done, what you've achieved. Have more confidence."

Kazuki chuckled, wiping his eyes. "Thanks, Kael."

"You're welcome, Hero Kazuki." Kael grinned. "Now… let's figure out where we are and how to get out."

Kazuki's expression turned serious. "This is the Well of Souls. The place where souls of the dead go. I've been here once before."

Kael blinked. "Wait, hold on. We're dead? And you've been dead once already? How did you just skip that part of your story?"

Before Kazuki could answer, a voice echoed behind them.

"You two have spoken enough."

They spun around. A woman stood in the mist, radiant.

Kazuki instantly bowed low. Kael glanced between them, confused.

Kazuki leaned toward him and whispered, "Bow."

But the woman raised her hand. "It's alright. He has not seen me before. Greetings, Kael of Terra… I am Sraosha, messenger of Gods."

At the sound of her name, Kael dropped to one knee, bowing deeply. "My apologies."

"There's no need," Sraosha said gently. "It is time. The Gods wish to meet you both."

With a graceful snap of her fingers, a great door shimmered into existence behind them. Its surface glowed with runes neither of them recognized.

"Through that door," she said, "you will stand before them."

The two boys exchanged a look, then walked side by side toward the door.

They stood before the glowing door in silence.

"Well, Kael," Kazuki said at last, gesturing toward it. "What are you waiting for? Open it and go in."

Kael raised an eyebrow at him. "You're the hero who fought the Demon Lord and his army. I'm sure you can open the door and face the Gods with ease."

Kazuki smirked. "Exactly. Because I've already done all that, I'm asking you to take some of the glory this time. All you've been doing is living the day-to-day life of a normal schoolboy. Facing the Gods will look good on your record of deeds."

Kael groaned. "Oh, come on—"

Watching their hesitation, Sraosha let out a long breath, shaking her head. Then she raised her hand and, with a flick of her fingers, a rush of divine wind surged forward.

The force shoved both of them through the door, sending them tumbling head over heels.

As they rolled onto the other side of the door, a burst of laughter greeted them. The sounds were warm, almost human.

They looked up. Their hands pressed into soft ground that felt like cloud, weightless, with a gentle breeze carrying the scent of fresh rain. All around stretched a perfect, endless, blue sky.

Before them, upon thrones set high in a ring of light, sat the Gods.

One of them leaned forward, chuckling.

"We should have paired these two sooner. Their banter was… delightful."

The laughter faded, and silence pressed in. Another God's voice grew heavy, resonant.

"But just like pawns, they played their roles. Watching them was entertaining, while it lasted. Now…"

His gaze burned through them.

"…prepare for the end."

The door shut behind them. Kael and Kazuki froze, their hearts sank as their fate teetered on the edge of an unknown judgment, swaying in unseen scales, bound to the will of the Gods."