Warm moss scratched Ren Arclight's cheek as he pushed himself off the forest floor. Sunlight spilled through towering branches, catching on drifting motes of glowing pollen. Birds flitted overhead, colorful, crystalline, and definitely not from Earth.
Ren sat up slowly.His hoodie was dirty. His shoes didn't match. His brain felt like wet cardboard.
"…Where am I…" he muttered.
He stood, legs wobbling, brushing leaves off himself, trying to recall anything useful.
A cry cut through the trees.
Ren froze.
A small, frightened call.A child's voice.
He hurried toward it, branches slapping his arms until he reached a small clearing.
A little girl, seven maybe, stood cornered against a fallen log.Two bandits loomed over her, grabbing at the basket she held.A third waited a few paces behind them, smirking like someone who enjoyed easy cruelty.
Ren's heart slammed into his ribs. He didn't know how to fight. He didn't even know where he was.
But the girl's voice shook. Her eyes were wide and terrified.
Ren stepped out. "H-hey! Leave her alone!"
All three bandits turned toward him.
Ren regretted breathing.
The nearest bandit laughed. "Oh look. A stray."
Ren backed up a step. "Please just… let her go."
The bandit stepped closer.
Ren stepped back..
And tripped over a root.
His arms flailed wildly.His elbow cracked directly into the bandit's jaw.The man dropped like a puppet with its strings cut.
Ren stared, horrified. "I'm sorry!"
The second bandit charged.
Ren panicked, spun, lost his balance AGAIN, and his heel slammed into the man's shin.
The bandit toppled face-first into the dirt.
Ren blinked. "This keeps happening, why does this keep happening?"
The third bandit stared at Ren, at his two unconscious companions…Then made the most rational decision of his career.
He screamed and ran.
Full speed.Through the trees.Terrified.
Ren stood there panting, shaking, not sure if he was proud or deeply ashamed.
The little girl peeked from behind the log.
Her eyes were wide. Wet. Glowing with awe.
"You… saved me," she whispered.
Ren flailed. "No, I mean yes? But no! I fell! Twice!"
She bowed, forehead touching the dirt. "Thank you…"
Ren's chest tightened painfully. "Please don't bow. Please don't bow. PLEASE don't bow."
Rustling came from the trees.
Ren looked up,
Villagers emerged.Men, women, elders, all clutching hoes, sticks, or nothing at all.Their eyes were wide, focused not on Ren, but on the fleeing bandit they had just seen sprinting away screaming.
Then they saw the unconscious bodies at Ren's feet.
Then the girl kneeling before him.
Whispers flared like sparks.
"He saved her…""He knocked out those men…""Unarmed…""And the third one ran for his life!""He must be a warrior…""No! stronger!"
Ren felt sweat forming on his spine. "That's… THAT IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED. I tripped! I panicked! I nearly died!"
The villagers heard:
He is too humble.
The elder stepped forward and bowed deeply."Great warrior… please. Protect our village."
Ren stared at him, horrified. "Wh.. NO. I can't fight! I don't even know where I am!"
The villagers nodded solemnly.
"He tests us."
"That's not..!" Ren sputtered.
The girl tugged his sleeve gently."Please stay… even just for tonight…"
Ren's heart crumpled.He sighed.
"…Fine. One night."
The villagers cheered in relief and gratitude.
Ren stared at the sky, wondering what cosmic mistake had led him here.
Somewhere far above, a god laughed.
The Wheel had only just begun to turn.