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[color=blue]“That’s not possible. We all participated in the summoning, Fenghuang…”[/color] Chesi responded, her tone dripping with irritation. [color=blue]“Like it or not, these are our heroes…”[/color] Most of the others said they should make their presence known. While Chesi agreed that the sooner they got through with this the better, Chesi wanted to observe a little more. Maybe there was some hidden potential she just wasn’t seeing.

And then that foul bird had gone off to greet them herself. Chesi rolled her eyes, and floated to the human she felt the elemental connection with.

—-

Everyone seemed lost and confused. None moreso than Milo, who was determined to not let that Marshallow go. [color=deepskyblue]“Ugh, I dunno. Maybe we should explore this place, and figure out what’s going on. Gray, Dave, you two are future doctors. One of you has some survival skills right?”[/color]

[h3][i][color=orange]"Behold Fenghuang, everlasting archmagess!"[/color][/i][/h3]

Conner jumped at the sudden loud voice. [color=deepskyblue]“Noah! What was in that beer?”[/color] He exclaimed at the sight of a talking bird.

As if that weren’t enough a small blue dolphin swam through the air and sat on Conner’s shoulder. [color=blue]“Fenghuang, you could have waited for us to be in agreement first! Anyway… Yes yes. I am Chesi. One of the Guardians of this realm.”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“Realm? You mean we’re not on Earth anymore?[/color]

Chesi slapped Conner’s face with a fin. [color=blue]“Does this look like Earth to you?” Anyway,you lot have been summoned to Arcanum. Magic is the lifeblood of this realm. Humans and magic exist in harmony. But as with all things, that harmony can be disrupted. An entity of unimaginable darkness seeks to consume and corrupt the magic that sustains us.”[/color]

Chesi then gestured to her companions. [color=blue]“The six of us were once its protectors. Masters of the Elemental magics. I, Chesi, could command the water with a mere thought. The seas bowed to my whim! I was also the most beautiful of the six.”[/color]

Chesi could feel some of the others staring daggers at her, and Chesi had to stop her story to address them. [color=blue]“What? I didn’t say I was the strongest, I didn’t say I was the most powerful, I didn’t say I was the smartest. I just want to be pretty. Let me have this! Ugh, anyway… The six of us tried to fight this entity. And for our efforts we were rewarded by being cursed into the forms you see now.”[/color]

Conner didn’t know how to react to all of this. This all sounded too fantastical to be real. Yet, here he was talking to a tiny dolphin… [color=deepskyblue]“Cool story… But how do we fit into all this?”[/color]

[color=blue]“Legends speak of six humans that would be brought here from another world to defend it from evil. We performed the ritual that brought you here just before we were cursed. I was not expecting children, but you’ll have to do…”[/color]

Conner rolled his eyes. [color=deepskyblue]“I’m not a child. I’m 18! I am not going to stand here and be insulted by tuna!”[/color]

[color=blue]“You’re all children to us… Now, we don’t have much magic left in us. This is all we can do. Now, close your eyes, and let the magic of Arcanum flow through you.”[/color]

Conner raised an eyebrow. [color=deepskyblue]“What?”[/color]

[color=blue]“Look, do you want to have any hope of returning to your world? Then you’ll do what I say!”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“Fine fine…”[/color] Conner grumbled.

Conner did as Chesi instructed, while the dolphin waved her fins around. Conner felt a surge of energy rush through him. He was soon surrounded with water. His clothes disappeared, and were gradually replaced with his magical boy attire. His hair and eyes turned blue, and a trident also formed in his hand.

When the transformation was complete, Conner spun his trident around, and struck a pose. [color=deepskyblue]“Now, that’s what I’m talking about!”[/color] He felt powerful. And for once, he had been chosen for something. And not his annoyingly perfect sister.

[color=blue]“I know. It’s cool right!”[/color] Chesi clapped her flippers excitedly and started making dolphin noises. She stopped after a bit, and felt embarrassed that she had done that. [color=blue]“Anyway, you brought here to defend our realm from evil.”[/color]

Conner’s eyes went wide. [color=deepskyblue]“Nice! So, where is this evil so we can kick its ass?”[/color]

[color=blue]“Not so fast! None of you have any idea what you’re doing. You need us to train you! And teach you to hone your abilities properly. We need to practice first.”[/color]

And then, as if on cue, a large shadowy bear with constellations on its body came out of nowhere, and roared at the group.

[color=blue]“Ooh, an Ursa Major. Perfect! There’s no better training than actual experience!”[/color]