I awoke slowly, groggily to someone shaking me trying to get my attention. I rubbed my eyes, surprised to feel my face wet behind my hands. Wiping my tears, i studied my surroundings only to be met with the peaceful morning light flooding the inside of the car. My eyes wandered further and noticed legs in front of my face. I follow them up to the familiar faces of my comrades looking down at me with varying levels of concern.

  Kai crouched next to me and placed a hand on my arm to steady himself. "Hey, you good bro? You were crying pretty badly in your dream. Even Katherine was worried."

  He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder towards his girlfriend, to which she turned her head away refusing to make eye contact. She did seem calmer today, albeit still not willing to make direct interactions unless absolutely needed. I rubbed my eyes again before sitting up and casting sleep away completely. I adjusted my jacket and brushed my sleeves off from any grime before finally answering.

  "I'm fine. Just had a strange dream. It was about my grandfather. He spoke to me." I said, fidgeting with my thumbs while looking at Kai's boots.

  "Like, a dream conversation? Something that happened in the past?" He questioned further.

  I took in a deep breath and shook my head slowly. "Nah. He spoke to me now, through my dreams. Said it was a message engraved in the ring that would only activate under specific conditions. Being here was one of them."

  Katherine glanced down at me before sighing and pinching the bridge of her nose. "Can't you be normal for just a few hours?"

  It was more said with disbelief and distaste rather than a genuine question. Kai turned his head at her but didn't say anything. I didn't catch his expression, but she scowled in response and limped back to the other side of the train car.

  "Sorry about her, she's-" Kai began, but i cut him off with a wave and a smile.

  "Don't apologize. I get it, it's understandable for her to be upset and angry with me. It's more unusual that you're calm about this honestly."

  Biting his lip, he broke eye contact and looked down. "I mean... It's not like this is easy for me either. If I'm being honest i was pretty upset with you yesterday too. I just didn't want to cause a scene when we had more important things to do. Not to mention, she's relying on me to stay strong."

  He shifted his weight uncomfortably before continuing "But last night i went through it over and over in my mind. I'm still upset that you didn't listen to us, don't get me wrong. That being said I'm also not going to pretend like it was your intention to drag us all here. You didn't exactly know what was going to happen when you touched the portal, no matter how absolutely stupid it was."

  I sat in silence for a moment, staring out the window into the forest past his shoulders. His revelation hurt me a bit more than expected, especially because i was already aware that he most likely felt that way. It was dumb to assume that just because we were best friends he would give me a free pass for the situation we were in. Still, it was a kinder and more understanding response than i was expecting.

  "I figured that was the case, but i am grateful that you're going easy on me. Thank you, Kai. I'll do my best to be more cautious and cooperate going forward." I said, making eye contact finally.

  He smiled at me and clapped my shoulder before standing up and stretching. "That's all i was hoping to hear idiot. Now let's stop being so serious, staring at your sulking face is giving me the ick."

  "Please. Don't EVER say that again." I replied, fake gagging in response.

  He kicked my shin and shot me a mocking grin. "Then I'm tempted to do it more often."

  We shared a small laugh, the tension finally being broken between us. After settling down, he sat next to me and leaned back crossing his legs. Contemplating for a moment, he found his words and broke the comfortable silence.

  "So, what did he say? Your Gramps. Jesus i sound insane and it wasn't even my dream."

  I leaned back with him and slowly reiterated the important parts of the conversation. Making sure to keep the private moments to myself. Not everything needs to be shared after all.

  Kai kept quiet throughout the explanation only tapping his finger on his leg and chewing his lip. After i finished he sighed and gave me a sideways glance.

  "So you're saying the reason you feel great all of a sudden is because this place has magic in the air?" I nodded in response and he continued.

  "So basically your grandpa forced you to be receptive to it at a young age. That's unfair dude, a literal cheat code. But at least it makes sense why Katherine and I don't feel it like you do."

  I shrugged in response and he shifted in his seat. "Okay, fine. Whatever. The next question is who the hell is your Gramps for real? Are we in danger because of what he supposedly did? Also who is this friend he's talking about? Have you tried reaching out yet?"

  "Honestly i dont know who he really is but... I'm sorta scared to find out now." Sighing loudly i kick the dirt below my feet in frustration.

  "I just feel like all of a sudden everything i knew about him is a lie. I don't know if we're in danger, he just made it sound like I'd have a tough time. I doubt he even knows you guys are here with me." I finished honestly.

  He groaned at that and shook his head. "Great, so we're just happenstance. I mean, can't say im surprised but it sucks. You've got some potentially well known evil grandfather that's going to make your life incredibly difficult, and we're stuck with you through it. No offense."

  "Nah, none taken. I agree with you honestly." I retort closing my eyes and rubbing my face with my hands. "Also, no. I haven't tried reaching out yet. I just figured they would go first. I'm not even sure how to call out to them."

  He shrugged back at me this time, giving me an uncaring look. "I dont know bro, don't ask me. I'm not the magic man here. Imagine using a cellphone in your head or something."

  Standing up and wiping down his pants, he began walking to Katherine before calling out over his shoulder.

  "Whatever you do, it's time to go. Let's get a move on. We don't have all day."

  After taking in his words, i mulled over them while standing up and grabbing my bag. Can't really blame him for not knowing how to help, but damn he could have at least given a better suggestion than that. As I walked over to them i had a sudden familiar sensation in my gut and stopped in my tracks.

  Kai looked to me, questioningly. "Now what? More magic the gathering BS?"

  I made eye contact with him and rubbed the back of my head embarrassed. "Uh... Actually haha, turns out just because you're in a new world doesn't mean you stop needing to use the bathroom."

  Katherine immediately retorted in disgust. "Ew?? Tmi!"

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  Rolling his eyes, Kai said "Gross, but whatever. Go find a tree or something dude. Just not near us please. 30 feet at minimum."

  I raised my hands up apologetically and made my way outside to find a suitable place for nature.

  "God am i actually about to use leaves for this? It would suck if i got poison ivy on my ass." I muttered to myself as i found a suitable spot.

  After a few minutes in private, deep within my thoughts a voice suddenly intruded my privacy.

  "Child. Can you hear me? "

  I instantly screamed in shock, shooting up and trying to cover my modesty. Frantically i looked around for the pervert trying to catch a show.

  "Where are you?! Who are you?!" I yelled out in response, buckling my pants. "Sick joke talking to a man literally caught with his pants down!"

  I could hear Kai rushing over, asking if i was okay but i ignored him opting to focus on my intruder.

  "Pants down? Ah, forgive me. Perhaps i caught you at a bad moment. Do not fret, i can not see you physically. Calm your thoughts child. It's hard to speak to you when you barrage me so hard." The voice returned, calmly.

  "Wha? Thoughts? You're in my head?" I say quickly, holding my head with one hand.

  As i finished the thought, Kai burst out from the bushes in a defensive stance. "What happened dude?! Are you okay??"

  I glanced at him and nodded before replying "I'm fine. Just the voice in my head. It's back."

  "Really? What's it-" he started but then stopped when his eyes glanced behind at the floor. His face grew a shade of green and he covered his mouth with his hand. "On second thought, take your time. Come talk to us after."

  With a swift turn he marched back towards the clearing gagging to himself. I felt a pang of guilt and humor but turned my focus back to my new intruder as they spoke again.

  "Hm... You're not alone then after all. There's three of you. This changes things, unexpected variables."

  " Who are you?" I hissed out quietly. "Are you the friend my Grandfather spoke of?"

  "Child, speak with your mind not your mouth. I can only pull your thoughts together for ideas, focus the words you mean to convey. "

  I rubbed my temples with a hand and focused the words as best i could, imagining sending a text in my head. A blank message screen.

  "Are you the friend my Grandfather told me to be aware of? " Came the image of the text bubble.

  In what i could only describe as amusement, the thought responded. " Oh? What an interesting way to grasp the concept. You learn fairly quick. Perhaps you aren't a total waste of time. The answer to your question is 'No.' I'm more of a representative handling the communications. You are not worthy of direct mind connection with our Elder Guardian. "

  I scoffed at that, but quickly apologized mentally when the voice gave an audible click of the tongue. It was harder than i thought to keep my thoughts in check when i was having my head picked apart. Better to keep my more turbulent emotions in check if i wanted favor and help.

  "Sorry, just not used to such customs in my homeland. We are all treated equally for the most part. "

  "You'd do well to remember that this is not your land then if you wish to curry favor. Still, my Guardian owes a great debt to your bloodline so i shall overlook this disrespect. Do not let it become a habit. "

  "Understood. "

  The voice seemed pleased with my response and continued their thoughts. " Now onto more pressing manners. I am Arisa. I hail from the Elven Kingdom. My job is to communicate and coordinate with other Kingdom's diplomates, as well as troops in times of peril. My time is being given to you despite my importance, make sure to properly appreciate this gesture. "

  The text bubbles popped into my mind again and i wrote a response. "Thank you for your time Ma'am, i am grateful for your help. Are you the one that called me through the portal? "

  An unexpected pause in the conversation came through, before they responded with "I'm not sure what you're referring to, but no. I haven't spoken to you before this moment. I've only been informed by our Elder as of today to help you on your way. "

  She let that sink in before continuing " Unfortunately any further questions will have to wait. I was told to inform you that you and your companions are in immediate danger. "

  "What?!" Came my voice this time verbal and mentally.

  "Do not fret, child. I am here to help guide you to safety. You are currently residing deep in the Narveshal woodlands. Those woods just so happen to border our Kingdom, and as such i will guide you on your way here. "

  As she said that, a familiar yet more subtle sensation came across me. A snapping sensation, yet this time more subtle and less forced. Nothing seemed different, but instinctively I could feel my attention drawn to a direction. Almost like an internal compass that i couldn't see yet always was aware of.

  " Follow the guiding rod. It will lead you to us in the most direct line. " She paused for a moment again before speaking. " For some reason, i am unable to reach out to your companions nor feel their mana. I am unable to give them the same resources. "

  I jumped in and shot her a message. " Ah, that's because they don't have Mana. They aren't able to feel magic. But wait, why are we in danger? What's out here? "

  "Beings without Mana? Most intriguing. This is unheard of to me. A matter for a later discussion. It's unusual for people to not know of the Brodaven, but i suppose this entire situation is rather unusual. Very well, I shall educate you. In the mean time i suggest you begin moving with your companions. You have limited time. "

  I made my way to the clearing where Kai and Katherine sat waiting, clearly on edge. Standing up, Kai met me at the entrance to the car.

  "Well? What did she say? Is help on the way?" He asked, almost begging me with his eyes to answer.

  After carefully considering my words, i spoke to both of them. "No. We're- Arisa told me we're in danger. We need to get moving. I'm still talking to her, she's waiting for us to move before she explains more."

  Katherine whimpered at my response and hugged herself tightly. She was already scared without the danger of being murdered, but now things were on a different level of uncertainty. Kai placed a hand on her head in response and stroked her hair to soothe her.

  "It's okay babe, we at least have help now. We're not alone. We just need to keep moving." He glanced at me before asking "Do you know where you're going then?"

  Nodding in response, i shifted my bag on my shoulders and pointed east into the treeline. "I can feel something pulling me that way. She called it the guiding rod. Said to follow the pull."

  He sighed at that, helping Katherine stand carefully. "Great! Another unseen force pulling Max and his friends into the unknown. That worked out so well last time." He spoke, dripping with sarcasm that probably hurt more than he meant it to.

  "Hey man, I know how you feel but do we really have any other options here? I told you I'd be more careful right? I'm telling you everything I know. Trust me one more time, please." My words came out a little more emotionally charged than I meant them to, but i held firm and met his gaze.

  He stood tall, meeting my challenge before looking down at his girlfriend and reluctantly giving in. "...Alright Max. I'll trust you on this. Please be right, for all our sakes."

  I smiled at him with twinge of guilt and turned to lead the charge into the woods.

  "Arisa? I'm here. We're moving towards you now. You can continue. "

  "Very good. It seems your group is experiencing some trouble, no? It's best that you learn to work together for the time being. You'll need to help each other if worse comes to worst. "

  "Thanks for your concern, we'll be alright. Can you tell me more about the Brodaven now? " My thoughts cut in curtly.

  "Steel your emotions in front of me, Child. I will not tolerate disrespect. " Came her response, equally as unpleasant.

  I sighed and mentally reset before giving her a response. " I apologize. I'm just tired and in bad circumstances. I overreacted."

  She seemed to hum at that and spoke. " All is forgiven, i understand partially how you feel. Brodaven are creatures of pure evil intent. They are grotesque, malformed, come in a variety of sizes, and always intend to do you and everything else harm. "

  She let her words sink in before elaborating more. " Fortunately, but rather unfortunately for you, they tend to stay just out of range of civilization. Always studying, waiting for an opportunity to strike when we let our guard down."

  "So we just happened to end up in the worst possible place then?" I groan out loud, much against the amusement of the two following behind me. They seemed to be lost in their own conversations, lagging a bit.

  "Indeed. Without my help, you'd be dead by nightfall. The Kingdom is only a day and a half trek for you. We shall send reinforcements once you come to a reasonable distance. Tell me, can you fight or use magic?"

  "Not to brag, but i could absolutely deck a toddler if it came to life or death." I replied, smirking at my own joke. "But on a serious note, no. Never been in a fight and I have no idea how to use magic. My grandfather said I'll need to learn how to store mana properly."

  The voice let out an audible sigh in my head at my joke, ringing a bit too loud. I had a suspicion that it was done on purpose but i wasn't going to confront her on it. She seemed to be contemplating for a while what to do with this new information, so i took a welcome reprieve from the constant thinking and focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

  I had a feeling that this peaceful stroll through the woods would soon turn dire.