Heroes Called to Another World

Introductions

I placed my things on a small table. “I feel like we’re in a fairy tale Precious.” She looked up at me and began beating her tail against the bed. I poured the rest of our water into the bowl I had packed for her and placed it on the floor. She quickly jumped down and began lopping it loudly.

I found another door next to the closet. I peaked in to find an oversized bathroom, complete with plumbing. “Thank God.” I breathed out loudly. There was a toilet and a fancy sink. The tub was big enough to fit three people. No shower or jets in the tub, but how much could a women ask for. I closed the door and returned to the closet. I pulled out what appeared to be a women’s outfit amidst the assortment of clothes and dresses.

When I was ready, I took a deep breath before exiting the room. “Okay. We got this Precious.” She looked up at me, ears perked, as I gripped the handle. I had barely cracked the door when she burst out. “Precious!” It was too late. She was already trying to lick the man to death who was waiting at the top of the stairs. He was quite startled. He lifted his leg and put his arms across his face as he almost fell off the banister. “Precious!” I snapped. She came back happily wagging her tail.

He stood up while straightening his clothes and clearing his throat. He tried to pretend he was fine, but she clearly just terrified him. “This way.” He gestured with his hand calmly and then began walking down the stairs. Precious beat us to the bottom where she sat patiently waiting with her tail sweeping the floor. I chuckled a little. The man made an extra effort to walk away from her. I giggled even more. I put my hand out and her head met my palm. She began walking next to me while beating me with her ridiculous tail.

The man opened the doors to a large dining hall. There, I saw familiar clothes on unfamiliar faces. As well as some familiar faces minus armor. Off went Precious to make new friends. There were five people dressed in American-style clothing. Four of them welcomed Precious happily. One leaned against the table with his arms folded, sporting a military attire. Everyone was gathered at the end of a very long table. There were two long tables. At the other end of the room there was a smaller table vertical across them. Sitting at the vertical table was the seven men from earlier, facing everyone. Mr. Mage still had his robe on and was standing.

“Welcome!” He said, holding his arms outstretched, “We are all here now.” The military guy scoffed and turned his head to look at me. “I am sorry for any inconveniences you have suffered and will suffer.” Mr. Mage continued while also looking at me and then turning back to everyone. “We will try our best to make accommodations to your liking.”

The military guy unfolded his arms and lifted himself free of the table. He looked at me with his hazel eyes. “What he means is, they have their own agenda and we are its hapless victims.” He turned to the mage guy.

“I suppose that is true.” He said, lowering his head, “However, we really need all of your assistance.” He looked back up. “You were all chosen by fate to be here, and all have a purpose. Each of you have a skill or talent that could be crucial to our cause. It was my powers that brought you here, but I have no control over who answers the call.” Even though his hood remained on, he looked very young. Tips of shoulder length blonde hair dipped out.

A beautiful dark-skinned women, that had been playing with Precious, piped in. “I don't fully understand yet what is going on, but I do see how myself and James fit in.” She said while gesturing the military guy. “I am a hand-held weapons expert and just finished basic training.” She said proudly. “James is clearly military as well. But what can everyone else do here?”

“Wait. I need a little more explanation.” I interjected. The rude guy shifted in his seat and folded his arms. He seemed to want nothing to do with this as he continued to stare anywhere but at us. However, he was seated right next to the mage. I doubt he got a vote in the matter.

I was finally able to get a good look at these men. Mr. Shiny sat on the other side of the mage. His hair was golden and his eyes were a purplish grey. The two next to him looked like twins. Same faces, brown eyes, and same body build. The only difference was their hair color. One had a sandy blonde and the other light brown that came past their shoulders in a single braid. The man next to Mr. Rude, which was now my nickname for him, was a white-haired man. He didn’t seem very old, and his hair wasn’t grey. He had a nicely drawn goatee and scruffy short hair. I imagine he kept it short because it was difficult to maintain. The man next to him was older with shoulder-length brownish grey hair. A messy beard, a scar across his right eye.

The Asian-looking guy spoke up. “Apparently, Hild the Mage, had a vision. These people have been at war for about fifteen years and it’s about to come to an end one way or another. Either the people die horrible deaths, or they summon six heroes from another world.” He gave me a half-hearted smile. “To answer your question Jess, I am also a handheld weapons expert, hand to hand combat, as well as Army.” He grinned largely at her.

Jess rolled her eyes. “OK, Jayce. Then what about you, Dean?” She turned. To a tall, skinny, red-haired man.

“OH. I-I am a chemist. I mostly work with fireworks though.” He said sheepishly, rubbing his hands.

“Oh, good! Explosives!” He giggled softly. “OK, what about you? I didn't get your name?” She pointed to an older guy wearing a fishing cap and glasses.

“My name is Charles. Everyone calls me Chuck. Believe it or not, I hold several archery records and some on horseback. I was also a sniper for the marines.”

“Nice.” She said enthusiastically. “Last but not least. How about you supermodel?” She looks me dead in the eyes.

“I haven't the slightest idea what I'm doing here.” I said, looking around. Mr. Rude chortled. I threw him a disgusted look. “I am a photographer for a magazine.”

“Oh sh**.” She looks shocked and sad. “Umm Hild. You got a dud.” She smirked, looking at him and pointing at me. I couldn't help but giggle. As did the rest of our group. Hill only looked at us weirdly.

“I am not sure what that means, but she has a reason for being here. Even if it is unclear at the moment. But I am curious what is a photographer?” He looked at me and I could finally see he also has purplish gray eyes.

“I take pictures.”

“Like a painting?”

“Sort of, not really. We use a device called a camera that takes an exact copy of the image we see.”

“Interesting.”

“So how long has everyone been here? You all seemed to have gotten a chance to get acquainted and discuss the situation before I even arrived.”

“I got here yesterday and was first.” James spoke first. “Dean arrived here just before dark last night, then Jayce, then Chuck, then Jess and now you. Jess had been here for a few hours. We got a chance to talk amongst ourselves and piece together most of the situation from what little we were told. It seems they wanted to wait for everyone before fully explaining, but we got the gist of it.” He finally took a seat.

“So, your all just ok with this?” I asked even more confused.

“No. Hild here apparently used up too much magic or something to bring us here and is unable to send us back right now.”

“You will return when you are supposed to return and exactly where you left from. Along with all your belongings. The spell has been used many centuries ago and I am certain the outcome will be the same.” Hild tried to be reassuring.

“Great.” I said sarcastically.

Finally, Mr. Shiny stood up. “OK. Now everyone knows the situation. Time for introductions? I am Prince Egan. This is my court mage and brother Hild.” He gestured to the mage. “The idiots next to me are Guile and Lyle.” They nodded. He must have called them idiots often because they were unfazed. “The old guy at the end is Marks, the white-haired man. Is grant. And the unruly man here is Rumy. I've got you gentlemen's names. And Lady Jess. But lady, if you would please?”

“I'm Jasmine.”

“All right, enough of this” Rumy finally opened his mouth. “Send the useless Princess back home.”

It was my turn to scoff. “First, I'm a harlot, Now I'm a useless Princess. Well, I have news for you, Mr. Rude,” I couldn't help myself.

“I am not useless. I may not know why I'm here, but I have been in my share of fights and have many skills. You needed our help. You have no right to call any of us useless”. He stood up and placed his hands on the table.

just let out a drawn out, soft, sarcastic, “Oh.” while covering her mouth. It was like I had just poked the bear.

“Now, now.” The prince interjected. Precious let out a little grumble.

“Princess, or do you prefer harlot? I am not in the mood to babysit, go home.” Rumy growled.

“I prefer neither, Mr. Rude. I did not ask to come here, and I will not be belittled. By an overgrown jerk” I said smugly.

James stepped between us. “Look. I am not going to stand here while you mistreat any of us. If it's a fight you're looking for, I will give it to you.”

“Nope”, The prince bounced around Rumy. “you will all get your chance later to see what you are made of. The look around me gave James gave me chills. It was the look of death with a smile. Rumy seemed to tower over everyone. He had short, almost black hair and his eyes glistened between dark green and almost gold.

“Every one of your rooms are in the same hall. For today, eat and rest. Tomorrow you will be fitted with armor. We will all train each other. Period. Armour and training are in the back. Take the hall under the stairs and it'll lead you there. In the meantime, we should eat.” Hild stated before sitting down. I didn't realize food had been ushered in behind us.

We all took a seat. Precious curled up at my feet. She was sneakily waiting for someone to feed her. Which I would, since I had to feed her something. We all took our seats, and everyone was quite rowdy. Just led the charge of noise. I think she wanted to keep light of an extremely unusual situation. Rumy was quiet and I could feel him staring at me from time to time. Whenever I looked over, he averted his gaze.

The rest of the evening went on like this. Precious was happy to have so much love and food. We went for a walk so she could relieve herself. I felt like someone was watching me the whole time. Precious did not seem to notice. We went back to the room we started in. I took a relaxing bath before we climbed into bed. Somehow, I felt oddly comfortable here. I'm in a strange place with strange people and yet I feel at ease. I will just have to get more information from those guys in the morning. I quickly fell asleep.