As I try to compose myself, the cheering of the crowd mixed with creatures and people began to settle down to the point where I could almost hear a pin drop, I look around trying to gauge the emotions of the room, there are many happy faces but I could see that there were more stoic faces in the crowd which made it hard to tell what it is that's going on... I looked back at the man with white hair and I could see he was looking at me with a happy expression on his face. In comparison to him, the woman by his side looks concerned for him. I decided to ask a question, so with as calm a voice as I can muster, I tried to speak.

  "Where is this and how did I get here?"

  I look at the man and woman. I guess the alcohol does help calm some nerves. I look around and the crowd looks on in a somewhat disgruntled way and that's when I realize my mistake... The man introduced himself as a King right before now! I didn't absorb most of what he said, but remembering that word, I quickly open my mouth again.

  " If you would be so kind... Your Majesty.... Warrick."

  The faces somewhat return to neutral expressions. Some still seem to hold a touch of hostility at the slight. The King... Warrick, as he said his name was... As the words he spoke began to come back to me... I should really thank my self control that I'm not drunk enough to where I can't think straight. Anyways, Warrick notices the change in my demeanor and opens his mouth, while that was one thing, the steely gaze he shot towards the room instead of on me was a sight to behold. He looked every bit a displeased King as I could imagine before this happening. As he spoke, I could tell that the authoritative tone of his voice gave the implication that his words were not meant to be questioned.

  "As you all can see the magic was a success. Now I command everyone in this room to exit the throne room, I've matters to discuss with our Otherworlder."

  He flashes a smile of a confident figure who was not open to have his orders to be debated against. The crowd apparently was used to this and they all quickly dispersed out of the room. It was now that I noticed that the room we were in would be the size of a football field. Though with the crowd here, I thought that it was smaller... I think it was their presence? I don't know... To much is happening... After the crowd had moved and the guards in armor with spears at their sides had closed the double doors, which I noticed that the size of those doors could fit two elephants entering at the same time without even beginning to have any semblance of a spacing issue. With those giant doors shut, I quickly turned to look at the King who is now sitting in his Throne. And now I began to notice something concerning... He's breathing heavily and sweating profusely... His Queen seemed to be waiting on this moment as she looked to help him. She quickly handed him a cup of purple liquid, while looking horribly worried at the state of her husband. The guards looked stoic but concern for their liege shows in their eyes and the tightening grips I can see their weapons beginning to strain under.

  I wait for the King to catch his breath, looking around the room. Now that it is clear I can see that this Throne Room is made of black stones with different colored spots that must be smaller rocks in them. They were glittering with different colors as the sunlight hit them while the curtains flutter from the wind. after 10 minutes the King and I have both been able to settle down, the Queen looking as if the worry will never subside in her face. The King, now looking a bit better, but still seeming to need bedrest, started speaking in a more affable warm tone as he spoke to the Queen.

  "Thank you, My Love, without you by my side this would be ten times harder, your warmth continues to sustain me."

  The Queen simply held the King's hand and responded to him with a gentle, warm tone in her voice.

  " We swore to love and behold each other for eternity my love."

  Even though there's a lot going on, one thing that struck me was that I could see that this scene is truly that of a loving couple. But in contrast to the King and Queen who were gazing into each other's eyes, what is this melancholy from the guards in the room for?

  After what felt like 5 minutes of witnessing their public display of affection between each other. The King looked away form the Queen's eyes and then looked at me. He spoke to me in a gentler tone than when he addressed the crowd, but unlike with his Queen, he spoke to me almost like a dying old man... This all doesn't make much sense to me.

  "Please, John Ericsson, come closer so I don't have to shout. I unfortunately don't possess the energy at the moment, I'll explain everything in a moment but first, allow me to introduce myself. It doesn't make a great first impression having simply welcomed you, said our names and then told everyone else in the room to leave. Let's do this right."

  The King, switching from a relaxed position to sitting with his back straight continues with a strong look in his eyes.

  " My name is Warrick Dreadnaught, I am the 96th King of the Demonkin."

  He then lifts his right hand to his Queen. Though I wonder the point of that, considering that his hand was still being gripped tightly by his wife.

  "This is My Beloved, My Wife, and My Queen, Aqua Dreadnaught."

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  The Queen did an elegant curtsey that had the eloquence and grace of a professional dancer.

  I responded with my hands at my side.

  " Hello, Your Majesty, King Warrick, Your Majesty, Queen Aqua. I am John Ericsson."

  I continued with as best a smile as I could muster.

  " I don't wish to anger you but again, I need to ask, where am I and how did I get here?"

  The King, deeply inhaled as he closed his eyes for a second... Is he getting worse? I was a bit worried... Despite this, the King opened his eyes and with some kind of newfound strength, he began to speak to me with a sincere attitude as he began to answer my question... Or at least, that's what I thought he was going to do.

  " Please no need to continue with the politeness, what I've done to you is so much worse than speaking out of turn to me."

  He said all of that with an apologetic tone of his voice and with a guilty look in his eyes. I also noticed that the Queen beside him looked just as sorry as her husband. I'm beginning to get even more confused, which I didn't think would be possible. The silence in the room was deafening, until the King began to speak up again.

  " To explain it as simply as I can, I'll start by saying this this is no longer the World you knew. This World is called Gaia. It's a completely different World to the one you are from. As well as that... As of now, I know of no way to send you back. I can never apologize enough for this John Ericsson."

  He looks as if he just had his heart ripped out, the Queen as well looked as if tears were welling up in her eyes. Whether this was acting or the sincerity up to and including this point was genuine or not, I had no way of knowing as the shock of what he said ripped through my mind like a revved chainsaw.

  The King continued to speak in an apologetic manner. This was only after I had collected myself enough to keep listening.

  " Now as for where you currently are. You are in Blackstone City the Capital City of the Demonkin country known as Diablos. Blackstone and more immediately, this Throne Room is where the traditional Demonkin King's throne is located."

  I take a deep breath and try to collect myself and absorb everything from the information he's shared with me.

  I tried to stay calm, but I could feel pangs of pain start to well up in my chest and throat. I could feel my eyes almost begin to water, I was able to catch myself as I eked out what was probably the most important question to me right now, all while I struggled to look King Warrick in his eyes.

  " Why am I here?"

  The King with a melancholic look in his eye's answered my question in a somber tone. I noticed before he spoke, the Queen had begun to wipe her eyes with a piece of cloth she was handed from a maid. The maid seemingly appeared from out of nowhere seeing as I hadn't noticed that she was behind the Queen this entire time.

  " That is a long story... To help make it go by a bit faster, allow me to confirm and also show you the reason why you were summoned here."

  The King beckoned to one of the guards and commanded something that didn't make sense to me.

  "Bring in an Appraisal Orb now."

  The King's words... An orb? What the hell is an orb going to tell me? I tried my best to keep it together. After a few minutes passed, the guard returned with a transparent orb in his hands. Like the kind that fortune tellers would have in.... In my previous world... The King speaks and asked the guard to hand me the orb. After I had it in my possession, the King then began to instruct me in a gentle tone.

  "Place both hands on the orb and imagine filling it with energy. As you do that, a window should pop open that will tell you the Job you possess and the skills you possess as well."

  I do as I was asked seeing as there was no reason to protest it. I don't even know if I would be allowed to refuse at this point... I place both hands on the orb and imagine filling it with energy from my hands. The orb starts to glow a strong white color, almost like a strong mist that could blanket a town. As I looked at the orb in my hands as it glowed, all of a sudden, a white window of text opened in front of me, my eyes obviously widened in surprise. The King was amazed by the light, but sounding amused from my reaction, he spoke to me again. Gently, but also guiding me, almost like a kindergarten teacher.

  "That is an Appraisal Orb, it analyzes the mana of the person in question and shows their Status. Now please read it and tell me what it says."

  I comply with the request and read the text Silently. And I was puzzled by what I saw.

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  John Ericsson

  Age 18

  Job 1: Paladin

  Job 2: Not Unlocked

  Job 3: Not Unlocked

  Job 4: Not Unlocked

  Title 1: Otherworder

  Title 2: __________

  Title 3: __________

  +         Title 4: __________

  Title 5: __________

  Switch Title Yes No

  Job Skills

  (Holy Magic) (Paladin's Recovery) (Holy Swordsmanship)

  Skills

  (Holy Heal) (Holy Mana Sword) (White Slash) (Cross Slash) (Shield Bash)

  (Barrier) (Language Comprehension) (Stamina and Mana Recovery +150%)

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