Caleb had never seen so much strange food. It wasn’t just the small differences in the animals he was familiar with, but the way it’d been prepared. He’d seen a blue tinged chicken with a weird magical tint to it, called silver favoured domarii, a bowl of damp french fries that sat over a bowl of steaming milk called geiggt, and what looked like fried cheese, smelled like chicken and was called yora eartsdese.

  Fortunately, he was more than familiar with the chicken, tomato and eggs dish Daen had first served him back when he’d woken up. Which was apparently also a special kind of food. A customary dish that signalled wealth because of the special species of tomato and chicken that laid the eggs. It tasted normal to him, but that was enough given the circumstance. He didn’t want to try something else and end up throwing up all over the place.

  He took another bite before glancing out over the growing crowds of people. Daen was keeping him in a corner, sat at one of the crystal glass tables that lined the edge of the hall. They were waiting for the other members of their squad, rather than going around greeting the other party guests.

  A few people from Daen’s planet – faithmen as Daen had called them – had come over and introduced themselves, but overall, not that many people seemed interested. Caleb thought it strange. Daen seemed relatively important, especially given the size of his palace and from what Caleb understood of portal privileges. And he’d expected to be more than popular given all that Esaeni, Daen and even Helana had said. All that on top the talk about how many billions of people had seen the video of him killing the Quasi named monster, it seemed like he’d be the talk of the town.

  He was glad he wasn’t, but this reception felt a little disappointing in a way. Not everyone seemed to buy into this prophecy as he’d first thought.

  At least it means I’m not that important, he thought, relieved.

  Or maybe everyone here was important. It certainly felt that way. The wealth of mana was practically oppressive. Especially from some of the older people in red suits.

  He shuffled around in his seat slightly, tugging at his collar, before using the strange cutlery he’d been given to take another bit of his tomato.

  [Enjoying the food?] Daen asked.

  “Hm? Oh yeah. It’s nice” he replied, before looking back to the crowd.

  [What’re you looking at?]

  “Just people” he replied. “There’s less than I’d thought there’d be.”

  [Well, the event is pretty exclusive. Mostly the people who show up early are the important ones. They like to talk and make greetings before the first record-say and festivities]

  “First record-say?” Caleb frowned. “Does Yuniea give a speech?”

  [No, no] Daen chuckled. [The governors of Akyren give a short speech, then a blessing, and we all move to the church, give a few words to the first sword, the hand of Ossilnda, and we’re free for the rest of the night. But we won’t do anything insane. We’re to be up early.]

  “Right” Caleb muttered.

  He probably should’ve asked more questions, but he was content to simply sit and eat, taking in the grandeur of his surroundings as he mulled over his own thoughts. His eyes moved over the various paintings and weapons that lined the walls, then to the guests once again, fixed to the small differences in their clothes beside the colour. It felt so strange to him, to suddenly be so immersed in a entirely new culture. He’d barely had time to really take in Daen’s and now an entirely new.

  Daen had said there were four or so war right planets, and however many more. It was weird to think that there were so many unique cultures out there, built by humans. Weirder still to think about how they would all interact with his own.

  He sighed as his eyes fell upon a drawing of a god-like woman shrouded in light, her face mostly obscured, as various men and women in different clothes lay prostrated before her raw eminence.

  It was strange to think that only a few weeks ago he’d been a normal kid on Earth, and this had all just been out there, happening.

  The universe was incredible in so many ways. And scary in so many others.

  Caleb winced suddenly, swallowing his food slowly before poking at his side, a small but sharp pain protesting back. He needed to ask Daen exactly how his skill could get rid of his cancer, but a celebration probably wasn’t the time for that.

  He frowned, watching a bald man in strange overalls similar to the ones Nigel had worn begin to make his way over to them. He was followed by a retinue of others, all in similarly fancy clothes, though muted in colour.

  “Uh… Daen? Do you know that guy?”

  [Hm. Who Reddi? I’ve spoken to him o- Crap]

  “Crap?” Caleb said, looking to him

  [You were speaking of one of my planet’s representatives. A governor. My grandfather.] Daen said, suddenly sitting up as he tugged at his clothes. [Stand when he gets here. Address him as governor and don’t say a word unless he speaks to you.]

  “… right” Caleb said looking back. Awkwardly he looked away, before quickly checking over himself as he set his cutlery down. Then Daen’s grandfather was upon them.

  Caleb stood, following Daen’s lead as he gave a quick bow.

  [Holy governor Ren] Daen said.

  “H-holy governor Ren” Caleb repeated. The man was silent, towering over him, the same height as Daen. He looked between the two of them, his eyes a sharp blue. Caleb could feel the flow of the mana around them change from the man’s mere presence alone.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  He’s strong, he thought. Seriously strong.

  And his retinue were no slouches either. He could feel the sheer strength they exuded, each and every one of them leaps and bounds ahead of him in strength.

  [You may raise your heads. Daen, Souza] the man said, his voice simultaneously gravelly and perfectly even. Caleb looked up, to the man, who remained stony faced, eyes fixed to Daen. He couldn’t help but feel maybe this was more of the vibe he should’ve expected from a planet representative.

  [Where is your squad?] Governor Ren asked.

  [They’re on their way]

  [Good. But you’ll need to leave them after the welcoming. We need to speak regarding matters of Earth] he said, eyes flicking to Caleb.

  [For how long?]

  The governor remained silent, eyes narrowing as he stared at Daen, the pressure of the intensifying.

  [As long as necessary I assume?] Daen mumbled, quickly, eyes flicking to the members of the retinue.

  [Of course] the governor nodded,

  [Right]

  The governor was silent a moment, looking to Daen before he turned to Caleb.

  [Evening]

  “G-good evening” Caleb muttered, struggling somewhat to get the words out.

  [Souza Caleb Martinson] the man said. [The fifty seventh, some say.]

  Fifty seventh? he thought.

  [Are you enjoying the evening?]

  “Yes” he said. “It’s very uh… nice. The city too. Very nice.”

  He tried not to cringe at his suddenly inability to speak in silence that followed, the weight of everyone’s eyes a constant pressure on his neck. The moment seemed to stretch on, a tension building in Caleb’s chest, when the governor suddenly laughed, the sound genuine. Caleb frowned, glancing to Daen, who looked more afraid than he had before.

  [Nice you say?] he chuckled. [I suppose.]

  The governor fell silent for a moment, the sounds of music and chatter washing over them as he looked behind at the walls of the hall.

  [Do you know the name of this city?]

  “N-no” Caleb replied.

  [Yun Evryd Dys. The first city] the governor said. [And what about the name of this place?]

  Caleb paused, wracking his memory.

  “The House of Council?” he thought.

  [Very good.] the governor said with a nod. [This is a very important place. A city that stands thirty-five thousand feet high, sustained by the might of the first sword, and the strength of all those that wish to preserve its hope. Here was the first stand of men and many say it will be the last] he said. [Maybe you will fight here, in that last battle. Maybe you will not.]

  [Great father I-]

  The older man silenced Daen with a simple motion of the hand, his gaze still fixed on Caleb.

  [You are strong. I can feel it. See it too. Your fire burns bright. But as of now you are too young, too new. I can see that you see much, but you’re yet to understand that which you see. Time yet will weather you, and one day you may stand beside us, or maybe even ahead. But for now, I apologise. My childish Daen and his wife have brought you into our family so soon and told you of many things you are likely not ready for. I hope you can forgive us. Regardless, I look to great things from your future, Souza.] Eternal blessings. May your challenges be mighty and good fortune befall you and your kin forever more.” he said, offering Caleb a hand.

  “T-thank you” Caleb muttered, shaking it. The governor smiled, then with a nod looked to Daen, stepping back.

  [Take good care of the earthchild Daen.]

  [I will]

  [Good. I must go now. Have a restful evening, each of you.]

  [Yes great father]

  “You too” Caleb said.

  With that the man turned, walking away as his retinue followed behind. Caleb watched them as they slowly disappeared into the crowd, somewhat captured by his words. He’d seemed genuine in a way Caleb couldn’t quite place. Slowly, he took a seat, then glanced to Daen. The man sat slumped in his chair, frowning as a bead of sweat rested on his brow.

  “Was that bad? Did I do something wrong?” he asked, nervous.

  [No] Daen muttered. [I think he likes you]

  “He seemed nice”

  [Well, it’s hard to judge in these public settings. He’s always been a good actor, and he sort of has to like you lest he claims I’ve brought our family shame] akolan [and all.]

  “Shame?”

  [Well, it’s like he said. It was a little brazen what I did. Asking a position of you before you’d completed your decision of the second phase] Daen replied, wiping sweat from his forehead as he sat up. [Alas, I think it’s alright. Probably. At the very least, I’m just glad the others weren’t here to see that. They’d never let me live it down.]

  Caleb nodded quietly, looking to his food as he wiped at his brow.

  His eyes moved back to the crowd, spotting more people sprinkled throughout the crowd, who wore similar robes, decorated with slightly different details and colour. He counted six, including Daen’s grandfather.

  “All the people in those robes, they’re governors right?”

  [Yeah]

  “And our governors will come to the festival?”

  [Considering they didn’t provide any food, probably not. But you never know with new arrivals. When my ancestors first showed up after their second phase, they misunderstood the rules and showed up on the third day with half the highers. It was quite funny]

  “Third day? How long did you say this was again?”

  [Five days]

  “Five days” Caleb muttered, failing to keep the apprehension out of his voice.

  [We’ll only stay the first two, given my promise. Today and tomorrow are where we have the proper events]

  Daen suddenly grinned, his eyes moving to the door.

  “The others?” Caleb asked.

  [Yes] Daen said with a smile, standing. [Come, I’d like to introduce you.]

  Caleb stood and looked to the entrance, watching as three people stepped inside, all adorned in the white formal attire, only one wearing a cape.

  [You’re gonna love them]

  Caleb stood following after Daen, the muted fear gone, replaced now by an excitement. The three spotted them, glancing to each other. They stopped at the bottom of the steps, as the three others started down them.

  Two were girls, one of them older, with the cape, a thin scar across her face. She had platinum-blonde hair, around twenty, and the other maybe a year or two older than Caleb, her hair the same colour, but her skin tan. The boy was around the same age, noticeably shorter than the two others, his skin darker, a caramel tone, and his hair buzzed. Though the most outstanding thing about him were the thin metal lines running underneath both eyes, and the soft artificial glow his irises held.

  [Osilla, Iricea, and Sillan, I give to you Caleb, the chosen.] Daen said. [Caleb, Osilla, Iricea and Sillan]

  They looked to him nodding, and he nodded back.

  [What gives?] the boy – Sillan – said suddenly. [You said the Earthchildren were short.]

  The younger girl – Iricea – elbowed the guy, before looking to Caleb with a smile. She stepped forward, then offered him both hands.

  [I am Dor Iricea Aerasair] she said, eagerly.

  The older girl – Ossila – burst out laughing, as Iricea’s face fell.

  [It’s one hand you idiot. Like this] said stepping forward, offering Caleb one hand as she knocked the younger girl’s hands aside.

  [D-don’t call me an idiot. It’s an honest mistake. And let me finish my introduction first]

  [Nope you messed up. My turn now.]

  [You asshole. You always do this.]

  [My what language. And here of all places?]

  [D-don’t do that! You were swearing on the flight here]

  [No I wasn’t]

  [Don’t lie you bitch. You can’t accuse me like that, then just lie. Especially here.]

  [Bitch?]

  The two quickly devolved into an argument, introductions forgotten. Caleb glanced to Daen who sighed to himself, putting a hand on Caleb’s shoulder.

  I’m guessing they do this a lot, he thought.

  [Can we go get some food?] Sillan grumbled. [I didn’t get to eat before I got here.]

  Caleb looked between the three of them. They seemed a lot less like a military squad, and more like regular teenagers. He could feel their mana, and sure, they were strong, but nothing like the heavyweights in the room. And Ossila had a cape. She didn’t seem like someone who’d seen the horrors of war. Well, neither did Daen for that matter.

  [Alright, alright] Daen said, stepping forward and separating the girls. [Let’s grab some food and introduce ourselves. I think it’s pretty clear we’ve got a lot to learn.]