The chamber had a mysterious air to it as Galen walked in, which only added to his feelings of apprehension. The room was large, spacious, and incredibly clean. Not a single speck of dust could be found, and the space somehow seemed brighter than the rest of the castle. Perhaps it was due to the marble flooring that was so polished that he could see his reflection.

  The walls were decorated with the same red banners that he’d seen previously, and four thick pillars carved with the same storming eye symbol could be seen in the room. In the middle was a large, circular stone table with several empty seats. Beyond the table were a few steps leading up to an immaculate throne. A throne that was being occupied by a hooded figure in fine, decorative, and expensive looking robes.

  He cautiously approached, his footsteps muted by the red carpet he stepped on. Once he made it to the stone table, the figure sitting on the throne tilted their head slightly, their gaze locked onto him.

  Galen nearly choked as he felt a sudden, overwhelming, crushing pressure washing over him. Every instinct he had was sending him terrified warning signals. His knees began wobble, and he was filled with an overpowering urge to curl into a fetal position. He began to sweat profusely, fear filling every cell in his body. He couldn’t breathe, and the pressure he felt had made the air leave his lungs.

  His knees gave out as he fell on all fours. Sweat dripped down his face and onto the marble flooring. He could see in the reflection of the polished marble the look of utter terror on his face. He felt as though he was about to throw up.

  Then, just as quick as the crushing, terrifying sensation had come... it suddenly vanished. Galen could breath again.

  He gasped for breath, nearly retching as he slowly recovered from the frightening experience.

  What the hell was that?! Galen thought as he wiped the sweat from his face.

  “Ah, my apologies for that,” a strong voice spoke.

  He looked up and saw the figure that had been sitting on the throne had lowered their hood. The figure wore a crown that was just as immaculate as the throne he sat upon. He was a dark haired man that looked to be in his… twenties? He couldn’t pin down the man’s age besides guessing him to be in his twenties. His features had an almost timeless look to them. It was a look that starkly contrasted with the man’s sky blue eyes, which appeared almost ancient.

  It was then that Galen remembered being told that Athanasius had lived for centuries.

  He’d been skeptical of that claim. However, looking into Athanasius’s eyes, he could almost believe that.

  The supposed god of the Dominion gave him an almost apologetic smile, “It seems you had a delayed reaction to the Ether within me. I’ve suppressed it further, so you shouldn’t have another averse reaction. It wouldn’t do for my mere presence to snuff out your mortal life.”

  The Emperor had stated that so casually, as if he were saying how unfortunate it would be if he spilled a drop of water on his robes.

  “Uh… yeah. I’m not looking to die anytime soon so…” Galen said stupidly, still feeling as though he were in a daze.

  The ruler of the Dominion gave him a quizzical look, “I’m impressed you didn’t pass out.”

  “Was I supposed to?”

  “It’s what most would have expected. As one not native to this world, you have had no exposure to Ether before. Being before one as powerful as I, well… no need to explain. You’ve already experienced it.”

  “Yeah, thanks for that,” Galen grumbled sarcastically.

  The Emperor gave an apologetic yet amused smile. He cleared his throat. The sound somehow echoed loudly throughout the chamber, “Now, though you probably already know who I am, I believe a formal introduction is in order. No need to continue kneeling by the way. You are free to stand.”

  Galen realized he was still on his knees, and got up shakily on his two feet. His knees ached from the marble flooring. The Emperor nodded approvingly, and seemed to be waiting on him.

  “My name is Galen Daxton.”

  The Emperor smiled and nodded, “A good name. I am Athanasius Durai. I am the god and ruler of the Dominion named after me.”

  It was then that Galen realized that he could understand Athanasius’s words.

  “You speak English! And rather fluently at that...” Galen pointed out.

  The ruler of the Dominion didn’t appear to have even a hint of an accent as he responded, “That I do. You see, you were not the first Champion that has been summoned to Avani. You are, in fact, the second.”

  The Emperor was perfectly fluent. If anything, he merely sounded as if he hadn’t spoken English in a long time.

  “The second, huh?”

  It appeared Aleksi had been telling him the truth.

  “When was the first Champion summoned?” he asked, curiosity peaking through.

  “Centuries ago,” Athanasius explained with a wistful look, “long before even I came into being.”

  Athanasius then seemed to contemplate something, and asked, “A quick question, if I may. What year was it in your world before you were summoned?”

  Galen frowned, “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Humor me,” Athanasius said, his expression serious.

  Galen told him the year.

  Athanasius seemed surprised. “I see…” was all he said as he locked his fingers in a thoughtful manner.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Well, you just confirmed that time flows differently in your world compared to here, Galen Daxton,” Athanasius revealed.

  Aleksi had mentioned something about that… Galen remembered as he asked aloud, “And how do you know that?”

  “Because among my ancestor’s, the First Champion writings, he’d made passing mention of what year it had been in his home world, Earth, when he’d been summoned.”

  Athanasius paused, then gave Galen a smile as he dropped the bombshell, “It was around a year before you.”

  Galen fell silent at that, The First Champion was summoned only a year before me? Yet, in this world, it’s been centuries since he was brought here. So, time flows faster here in Avani compared to Earth? Is this a Chronicles of Narnia situation or something?

  He sure hoped so. If he found a way home, he didn’t want to inexplicably be a fully grown adult when he was supposed to be fifteen years old.

  Refocusing on the present, Galen asked, “Why did you summon the First Champion?”

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  “For the same reason I had my Ethereans summon you,” Athanasius answered.

  “And that reason is?”

  “To unify the Realms of Avani. And to help me mend this fractured world.”

  It was then that Galen remembered the last words his grandfather had for him, “And I have faith in you my grandson. As a Daxton, I KNOW you have what it takes to fulfill your purpose. To unify that which had been fractured.”

  Was this what Nolan had trained him for? For this purpose? The idea seemed ludicrous, for how could his grandfather have known his grandson would have been summoned to another world? And if he had known, why hadn’t he warned Galen?

  Probably because I wouldn’t have believed him, Galen thought, if he’d tried, I’d have thought him as insane as Dad did.

  He frowned. Destiny or not, he still had a bone to pick with what had happened. He mustered the nerve to scoff, “So you rip me from my world without my consent and expect me to do your bidding? Why should I?”

  Athanasius breathed deeply through his nose, and gave Galen a sympathetic look, “That is another thing of which I must apologize for. It is tremendously difficult… no, nigh impossible to perform the summoning with any accuracy.”

  “And why’s that?”

  Athanasius raised a brow and gave him a look that made him feel like an idiot. He felt even dumber for having asked when the Emperor pointed out, “Imagine trying to summon a specific person from an entirely different reality. It’s not exactly like going to the store and picking the best looking fruit.”

  Galen flushed at the obviousness of it all and cleared his throat, “Alright then. But just because I understand doesn’t make me any less angry about this all. I want to go home! A disaster had struck my home when you all summoned me, and I need to go back.”

  “Yes, that’s what I had been told when I arrived. It seems what was reported was true,” Athanasius said before giving Galen a quizzical look.

  “What’s that look for?” he asked.

  “Nothing, it’s just…” a look of confusion crossed Athanasius’s features, “do you really want to go back to your original world?”

  This time, Galen was the one confused, “Why wouldn’t I? Didn’t the first Champion want to go back to their world when they were summoned?”

  Athanasius shook his head slowly, chuckling as he did, “Perhaps initially. But he saw the opportunities he had here, and realized he could accomplish so much more here in Avani than on Earth. That is an opportunity you now have as well, Galen. You’re in a brand new world. And not only that, but one where you can learn to access power you never could in your home world,” Athanasius explained.

  As if to accentuate his point, Athanasius’s eyes began to glow blue, and he held out a hand. A sparking blue orb formed and floated above his palm. It almost looked as though the Emperor held the power of an entire storm in his hand.

  For some reason, it made Galen uneasy.

  “Not only will you be able to acquire power beyond your wildest dreams,” Athanasius continued, staring in what seemed like fascination at the storming ball floating above his palm, “but you will be in prestigious position in my empire. If you can realize your full potential, you may just become my right hand man. You’ll be the new Champion of the Dominion. Second only to myself!”

  Athanasius grinned as he dismissed the storm orb, “Think about it, Galen Daxton! You can help unify a fragmented world. You can help me lead all of Avani to a new age of prosperity. And then, anything you desire will be yours to take! That is what you can have here. Now, I ask you again, do you really want to go back to your original world?”

  Galen wanted to say the offer wasn’t enticing at all. But a small, dark part of him was tempted. He was ashamed to realize it, but a part of him found Athanasius’s offer appealing.

  Why wouldn’t he? He’d read countless novels and comics, and had watched countless shows about this kind of scenario. Someone from the real world ending up in a fantasy world, obtaining unrivaled power and influence, and getting everything they wanted.

  Who wouldn’t be tempted by that sort of offer?

  It was Aleksi’s words that saved Galen, “...but you do have family, you do have people, waiting for you to return. Isn’t that reason enough to try?”

  “No,” Galen said, his voice barely loud enough to count as a whisper.

  However, despite how quietly he’d muttered his response, Athanasius appeared to have heard it somehow. He frowned, almost seeming displeased, “I’m sorry… Did you just say ‘no?’ You’re turning down this opportunity?”

  There was a dangerous edge to the Emperor’s voice, and it made every hair on Galen’s body stand up on end.

  Nonetheless, he stood his ground, “I have family that’s waiting for me on Earth. Parents who love me and I love in return. We’ve already lost my little sister, Serenity, in the disaster that struck our home before I was summoned. I need to make it back so that they won’t have lost me as well.”

  Athanasius seemed to regain his cool as he nodded, “A noble enough reason, I suppose.”

  “So is it possible? Can I return home?” Galen finally asked.

  Athanasius remained silent for a long time as he appeared to contemplate Galen’s question. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Emperor smiled, “Yes, it is. But not right now. It took a tremendous amount of Ether to perform the summoning. And it took a very, very long time to gather the Ether that was used up.”

  “How long?” he asked, a bad feeling forming in his stomach.

  “Three hundred years,” Athanasius answered with the most serious expression Galen had seen from him yet.

  Galen choked, “Three… THREE HUNDRED?!”

  Athanasius nodded.

  He grit his teeth and curled his hands into tight fists, “I’ll be dead three to four times over by then!”

  “As you are now, yes. Obviously.”

  “Is there any other way?” Galen asked desperately.

  “There are three different ways. Only one of which will work for certain with the least amount of risks,” Athanasius said, holding up three fingers.

  “Tell me,” Galen demanded.

  “The first way is to forcefully gather and use up a vast amount of the Ether in Axis Mundi, the Realm we are in now, and Branlyn, the home Realm of the humans of this world. The second way is for me to use my own power in conjunction with the first way to reduce the amount of Ether needed. The Ether we used up was one we slowly accumulated over the centuries, and both of these methods will gather the power at an extremely accelerated rate. However, I absolutely refuse to allow either of these methods to be used.”

  “Why?”

  “Because both methods would leave my empire vulnerable. And the other Realms may use that opportunity to invade should they have a method to traverse the Void Sea safely,” Athanasius explained.

  Athanasius chuckled at seeing his frown, “That’s right, Galen Daxton. This world, Avani, is not one that is at peace. Quite the contrary. Though, that will be explained later, should you work with us.”

  “And the third way?”

  “The final option is one that has the least risk to all parties involved and will have the highest odds of success,” Athanasius paused, seemingly to add dramatic effect, “we unify the fractured Realms of Avani. That will mean there will be far, far more Ether at our disposal. Which will allow us to more quickly gather the required Ether safely. I can then use that power to reverse the summoning process and send you home, with far less risk to my Dominion.”

  “And that’s the only way?”

  Athanasius nodded firmly.

  Galen wasn’t sure what to think. He didn’t know anything about this Ether thing. And it wasn’t like he knew Athanasius. The Emperor had likely been the one to order the summoning in the first place. Which meant he already didn’t have a good first impression of the ruler. And the moment Galen had heard that the ruler of the empire was also considered its god, he inherently distrusted Athanasius even more.

  Nothing good ever came of a flawed man playing at being God.

  And nothing good ever came of the ruler of a nation being worshiped as one either.

  However, Galen had absolutely no way to get home, and especially not without help. He was in a world that was not his own. In which he didn’t even know the language. He knew nothing about Avani or what the situation of this world was. Athanasius stated clearly that there was ongoing conflict in the world. That potentially meant war. Did Galen want to get caught up in all that?

  Absolutely not.

  But there was nothing else he could do.

  Galen rubbed his face in his hands and sighed, “If it means getting home, I’ll work with you and your empire. I’ll do what you ask.”

  For now, he added in his mind.

  Athanasius smiled, “Then we will need to begin your training with haste. There is much you will need to learn if you are to become the new Champion of man. I suppose the first thing you will need to learn is the language. The first goal will be for you to learn to read and write in the official language of the Dominion. As you do that, we can assess your current physical abilities and skills.”

  Athanasius’s smile widened, and Galen saw a dangerous glint in the Emperor’s ancient eyes, “After that, you will be trained on how to use the power of Ether.”

  Galen swallowed hard. He didn’t like the glint in the supposed god’s eyes.

  Just who, or what have I agreed to work with… Galen wondered before finding his nerves, it doesn’t matter. I’ll do what I need to do in order to get home. No matter what, I will return to my world.