Another World

Aimi opens her eyes.

She’s no longer inside the tent; the giant floating pieces of land tell her she is no longer on Earth. In the distance is a castle with dragons circling it, and a pillar near its center that shines like a beacon.

“Where are we?”

“Mundi.” Tenki said.

“Tenki, are you ok?” Aimi said as she helped Tenki to his feet.

“I’m fine. How about you all? I know you are disoriented, but you will be ok so long as you stay near me. Cato, how is your arm?”

“I’ll survive.” Cato said.

The guards point their weapons at Cato, Tenki, and Aimi.

“What are you doing? Lower your weapons.” Aimi said.

“Commander, you’ve been compromised as well.”

“I have not. There is no time for explanation. Lower your weapons, we must work together to return home.”

The guards refuse to lower their guns; the strange world they stand keeps their heart rates high. The sights before them are surprising enough, but it is the peering eyes of creatures around them that make it difficult to lower their weapons.

Before they can make a choice, their bodies are forced to the ground. Gravity presses down on them and carves their bodies into the ground. Each of them tries to resist, but the best they can do is groan in pain as the pressure become stronger.

Aimi’s body freezes as a tall, horned woman in a purple dress arrives. Her hands remain together, her walk slow, but the first glimpse of her eyes flare every instinct of danger within the body.

“Cato, which one of them injured you?”

“Stop, Alba.” Cato grabs Alba’s hands, “Don’t hurt them, it will only cause more trouble. Could you heal my arm?”

“Of course.”

The pressure on the guards disappears, allowing them to sit but none dare stand. They’ve met powerful beings like Tenki and Cato, but Alba is an insurmountable force even in comparison to her fellow heroes.

“We’re in the other world.” Aimi said.

“That is correct. I rushed here after sensing the opening of a portal, I assumed you were returning after delivering Tenki.”

“We ran into some trouble. Have castle guards arrest everyone but Tenki, they are too dangerous to be left alone.”

Tenki steps in front of Aimi. “Cato, do you have to do this?”

“Tenki, she has told us what she plans to do. The humans of your world are capable, if we allow them to be then we could be placing Mundi in danger.”

“She can still change her mind. I will show her more of this world, of how people live alongside magic and the dangers therein. Was it not the same for you?”

Cato looks to Alba and sighs. “Fine, she can leave with you. The others will be placed in cells; we won’t harm them.”

“Thank you.”

Alba creates portals that summon castle guards to the side of each of the AMDO guards. Their guns are crushed, giving them no chance to resist as they are placed in chains. Afterwards, she creates another portal leading them to the castle and escorts the guards alongside Cato.

“What did you see on the other side?” Alba said as she closes the portal behind her.

“It was horrific. I must return to save the others in that world, but there is another pressing issue at hand. I’m sorry, Alba, I will need to summon the man you hate the most.”

“I see. Stella has contacted me about the tremors, but she is at a loss herself. I’ll allow it just this once.”

Aimi stares at the area where Alba created the portal but giggles as Tenki pokes at her body.

“Will you stop that? I said I am ok.”

“Hmm, you have slight bruising on your ribs but other than that you are ok.”

“Cato, he couldn’t strike me down.”

Tenki nods. “And you couldn’t pull the trigger.”

Aimi lowers her head. “How could I? Not when I saw how you two care for each other. But I’ll have to accept it if I mean to save my world.”

“Hey, enough about that for now. I’m glad you are both ok; and now I get the chance to show you Mundi.”

“Show me Mundi? I don’t think we have the luxury of time… shouldn’t you be mad at me?”

“I am. But there are much more important things to focus on at the moment. It may be just dumb luck, but we landed where I first did as well. I’ll take you to the first town I visited here. How about it?” Tenki offers his hands.

“Fine. But I’m not giving you more than a day or two, I need to get back home.” Aimi said as she took Tenki’s hand.

Before she can react, Tenki has picked her up into his arms. A moment later, the woods north of them zip past her as Tenki displays just a fraction of his speed.

Aimi tightens her body and wraps her arms around Tenki. The speed hurts her eyes but she feels safe as Tenki’s arms keep her close.

“Is that your form of retaliation?” Aimi said as Tenki comes to a stop.

“Hahaha, maybe just this time. Here, I’d like you to see this, keep your eyes closed.” Tenki places Aimi on her feet and covers her eyes with his hands, “Ready?”

“I am.”

Aimi is greeted by a floating and swirling river cutting through a snowy mountain in the distance. There are houses following the river; people of the world playing within, or making use of it. Japan has large landscapes as well, but that in front of Aimi seems endless.

“What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful. Is the entire world like this?”

“Some areas yes, but some are the extreme opposite. A world of magic can seem strange, but the people here have adapted. I think our people could as well.”

“I wish you were right.”

“I still have time to convince you.”

“Very well, give it your best shot.” Aimi said as she spread her arms, “Well, come on, carry me like a princess.”

Tenki obliges, carrying his wife as she embraces him once more. The moment she has wished for has finally come, the tranquility of another world allows her to focus on the person she loves.