“The Goddess Nivalár has given you the gift of tongues,” the priest said. “You may know her by another name where you come from, but here in Elaria, we call her Nivalár. She is our highest deity, representing light, wisdom, and knowledge. She examined you with her light, granting me insight into your arrival… and granting you the ability to understand us.”
He folded his hands. “You will receive no further blessing directly from her today, but I am permitted to share knowledge that may guide your unexplored path. Do you wish to hear it?”
“Yes, please,” Jeremy said.
“Your world has awakened,” the priest began. “Every world awakens eventually. Mana is the life force of magic, and when a world awakens, Mana floods into it. The effects differ from realm to realm, but the rule is constant: the more chaotic the world, the more chaotic the awakening.
“As we speak, magic pours from the vortex in your world, saturating everything it touches. The effect on each creature depends on its soul. Some savage beasts will grow more violent. Others may gain sentience and peace. When the chaos settles, the awakening begins to shape and define, creating new species, strengthening existing ones, or granting intelligence where none existed.”
He paused for a moment letting it all sink in.
“Our world awakened roughly two thousand cycles ago. The calamity nearly eradicated all life.”
Jeremy gulped.
The priest continued, “The species that survived formed realms aligned by their goals, philosophies, spiritual beliefs, and sometimes race. Our realm is a spiritual one, devoted to peace and tranquility.”
“You segregate?” Jeremy asked.
“Not by force. Each realm governs itself according to its own values. I understand this may seem questionable to you, but for us, it sustains peace. There have been no wars since Thal’veyr?n, The Last War, over two hundred and fifty cycles ago. Before that, conflict was constant. Thal’veyr?n began as a dispute between two realms, and a negotiated separation, segregation as you call it, ended the fighting. Before the awakening, such a war would have lasted years and claimed millions of lives. We grieve for the 10,000 lives lost, yet millions survived, and peace returned. Small conflicts and fighting continue, but segregation prevents war.”
Jeremy exhaled slowly. “People in my world die in stupid, pointless wars. I get why you’d want peace… even if I don’t fully understand how you maintain it.” His own intensity toward his world’s conflicts surprised him.
“Shall I continue?” the priest asked.
“Yeah,” Jeremy answered. “Sorry for interrupting.”
“Truly,” the priest continued, “it is acceptable. I suggest we move somewhere more comfortable.” He gestured toward a side door, “Perhaps my dining area?”
“Absolutely!”
He led them into a warm kitchenette with soft high?back chairs. After serving refreshments, he resumed.
“As I said, magic changes without discrimination. But you, Jeremy, are an exception. Magic chose you to enter our world and learn more about the awakening because of your aura. Magic always chooses three: a hero, an adversary, and an emissary. This pattern is older than recorded history.
“The hero leads his people against the chaos.
“The adversary embraces it.
“The emissary learns magic in another world and brings that knowledge home.
“You are your world’s emissary.”
Jeremy blinked. “ME?”
“Do not treat this role trivially,” the priest said. “It is among the largest obligations for all lifeforms, throughout all planets. To learn magic, you will serve the Goddess Nivalár until She deems you ready to return. Or, if you choose, you may serve a different deity. Only a deity has the power to send you back to your home world.
“Time flows differently between worlds. You may spend many cycles here and return mere hours or days after you left.”
“Like the Chronicles of Narnia,” Jeremy blurted. “Oops…sorry.”
“I do not know these chronicles, but if it is a comparison you understand, good.”
“What are the other gods you mentioned?” Jeremy asked. “And… what do I call you?”
“Apologies,” the priest said with a wide grin. “My name is Velarion. This is Elionas and Elirian.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jeremy said as he nodded to the brothers. Finally—names better than Hugger and Handkerchief.
“As to your question about other gods, I will tell you what I can. I must be vigilant in my descriptions to avoid accusations of favoritism.
“There are seven deities worshiped by Elarins. You may serve any you choose. Nivalár will not force your loyalty. But if you choose another, She may reclaim her gifts. If you choose Her, She will grant you knowledge as you complete Her quests.
“I suspect the gods of your world behave similarly.”
Jeremy considered it. He wasn’t a theologian, but the parallels were obvious. His God was gracious and merciful, but He was also jealous and vengeful. At least that’s what Jeremy remembered from Sunday School. “Yeah… that sounds familiar.”
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“Good. I, of course, recommend you serve Nivalár. She is peaceful, gracious, and faithful to Her servants. She will give you time to decide. But the choice is yours. You may refuse any quest she gives. Your first quest will take you to the border of Thal’Seren, realm of Vaerunel, the god of shadows. There, you may continue serving Nivalár… or enter Thal’Seren and learn from Vaerunel.
“The other gods are:
- Thalor - the god of justice and promises,
- Serenya - the goddess of mercy and healing,
- Krayella - the goddess of courage,
- Solavien - the god of breath and life, and
- Velmiran - the god of nature
“Most will offer you quests. Some will challenge your ethics. Some may even alter your soul. Such paths are allowed, but Nivalár does not endorse them. Remember, the emissary’s goal is to learn as much as possible before requesting a trip home from a deity. To reach that goal, some gods will push you harder than others. Do you understand?
Jeremy, after brief contemplation, said, “I think so. I believe I ended up on your beach for a reason. I don’t know if y’all believe in fate, but I do. So… what’s this city called?”
“Ah,” Velarion nodded. “You are in the realm of Elaria. Our world is Elar, ‘balance’ in your language. Our ancestors chose the name after forging peace among the realms. You will visit many of them..
Velarion paused briefly, confirming Jeremy had no further questions. “Now, about your transformation. You were human before the vortex, yes? Now you are… amphibious. Nivalár did not cause this. She believes it to be an aberration of the awakening. She is the Goddess of knowledge, but even she cannot answer every question.
“But she did reveal that your new form enhances your aptitude for magic. Allow me to show you.”
Jeremy read the information a few times. “I was wondering if I’d get to see my stats. Not bad.”
“It is a balanced beginning,” Velarion said. “Let me explain the interface.
“All inhabitants of Elar are infused with Mana. Soon, life on your world will be as well. Some beings cannot level—they remain static. Others are born powerful, beginning at high levels. Only a select few possess the interface ability. Those who do can track their progress and shape their growth. Those who do not may still grow stronger, but blindly, without control or awareness.”
Velarion’s gaze lingered on Jeremy.
“Got it,” Jeremy said.
“Good. Now… are you ready to learn about your quest?”
“Yes, please!”