Chapter -2

THE FOLLOWING MORNING – THE THRONE ROOM

All seven stood together before the king and queen. Sunlight filtered through the tall stained-glass windows, casting colors across their faces. The King spoke first.

“Welcome to Ahnrozes. I am King Emmrys, and this is my beloved Queen Meliora. I know you have many questions… but first, I ask that you each introduce yourselves. Name and age.”

Ezra stepped forward.

“My name is Ezra Saito. Twenty-eight.”

Ayumi followed shyly.

“Ayumi Tanaka. Seventeen.”

Amala bowed slightly.

“Amala Lin, eighteen.”

Her eyes drifted to a soldier near the wall. It was Galen. He looks like the captain, she thought.

When Galen glanced back, both blushed faintly.

Mirleth spoke with calm confidence.

“Mirleth Everrett. Twenty-three.”

Idris nodded.

“I’m Idris Reid, nineteen.”

Gideon stepped forward next.

“I’m Gideon Hayes. Twenty-nine.”

Last came Riven.

“Riven Lakewood. Nineteen.”

The Queen smiled warmly.

“Very good. Then allow me to explain why you are here.” Her voice carried a heavy, ancient sorrow.

“Our world faces a great threat. Centuries ago, seven gods ruled these lands each more powerful than the last, their abilities beyond human understanding. At first, humans worshiped them with love and devotion… but it was not enough for them.” Her gaze lowered.

“Their hunger for power grew. And the gods unleashed calamities that nearly wiped out humanity.”The room held its breath.

“In desperation, the kingdoms summoned seven heroes. Though these heroes grew nearly as strong as the gods themselves, they could not defeat them. Not until they performed a forbidden spell that required a sacrifice, of their life energy.”

Gideon frowned.

“Life energy? you mean?”

The Queen nodded.

“Yes. They sacrificed themselves to bind the gods. Seven gods. Seven heroes. Seven seals. The heroes died five years later… they were so young.”

Valek stepped forward.

“After the destruction, humanity rebuilt. Speaking of the gods is not a crime anymore, but worshiping them is. And now, a group seeks to free them.”

Riven muttered,

“This sounds like a video game…”

Ayumi crossed her arms.

“Yes, but dangerous.”

Gideon looked around. -Ancient gods, seals, magic… I’m actually in another world. This is so crazy-

Amala asked,

“How do you free the gods?”

Valek replied,

“By gathering the seven artifacts each god left behind before being sealed.”

Ezra stepped forward, frustration boiling over.

“I’m sorry, but this has nothing to do with us. We’re not even from this world.”

The King sighed deeply.

“I know taking you from your world was irresponsible… but we are desperate.”

The Queen added softly,

“The group already has the first artifact. When all seven are together… the seals will break.”

Ezra clenched his fists.

“No. This world means nothing to me. You can’t drag me into a war that isn’t mine.”

Captain Galen stepped forward with a sharp motion, drawing his sword.

“Insolent”

But the King raised a hand.

“No, Galen. He’s right. They are here because of us. They had lives… families… dreams. We took that from them.”

Gideon stepped between Ezra and the throne.

“If we agreed to help… would you send us back home?”

Valek’s face fell.

“That is not… possible.”

Idris frowned.

“And why not?”

Valek closed his eyes.

“Once summoned… your lives in your world are erased. Everyone who knew you, family, friends will forget you ever existed.”

Ayumi stiffened.

“What do you mean?”

Mirleth whispered,

“It would be as if we had never been born… right?”

Valek nodded painfully.

“Yes. To them… you will be as though you never were.”

Ezra trembled with fury, stepping toward the King.

“So you’re saying all my work meant nothing? That everything I worked for—without sleep, without rest was for NOTHING?!”

Galen moved instantly, blocking his path with sword in hand.

Gideon placed a firm hand on Ezra’s shoulder.

“I’m upset too. But this isn’t the way.”

He looked at the King.

-I’m not happy about any of this… but escalating things won’t help us.- he thought. -If we get thrown into a dungeon, we’re finished- he thought. -Better keep the King on our side.-

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