Cain's nerves were frayed, his body tense, as the door swung open slowly. A soft light spilled into the room, revealing a figure that made him freeze mid-motion. Beautiful wouldn't do her justice, her skin a light cocoa brown as well as smooth and radiant. Her gaze was piercing as Cain noticed her amber-yellow eyes which seemed to glow faintly. Her long, straight black hair fell past her shoulders, framing a face of serene power and authority. She wore an amethyst-colored day dress, subtle gold linings glinting as she moved.
She's beautiful, no what's more important is that she's powerful she's making my Witcher medallion vibrate like crazy.
"Hello there, it's good to see your awake." She spoke.
Cain's body tensed as he instinctively activated Mind's Eye, hoping to get a read on her magical presence, only to be completely overwhelmed by it.
My stomach turned violently, as I fell to my knee's and vomited, not from disgust at her appearance, but at the sheer intensity of the magic radiating from her. It was like staring into a living golden sun. A cosmic force pulsing with sentient energy that pressed against my mind. Her eyes alone carried a power that made me stagger back, reeling in fear.
"There, there," she said softly, her hands moving gently to rub my back. Her touch was warm, grounding, and I felt the pain and pressure subsiding as if it didn't exist. Though not completely enough to stop the residual shaking of my body. "I would say it's rude to look at someone with that kind of sight without permission… but I guess you learned that lesson the hard way," she added, her accent lilting and distinctly English.
Cain wiped his mouth, eyes narrowing in confusion and alarm. "Where am I… and who, or what are you?" he asked, his voice strained.
The woman straightened and stood gracefully, waving her hand in a small arc. The mess on his clothing and the floor vanished as if it had never existed, leaving no trace of his sickness. Cain's mind raced. A sorceress? Definitely a sorceress… or, maybe something more.
"To answer your question on who I am. My name is Samira Tesfaye, and I am… your handler," she said, with her piercing gaze.
Cain's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Handler? What did she mean by that? The modern day room, her being a sorceress. Something didn't make sense Cain thought.
"Now Cain, or should I say, Jasen," she said with a knowing smile that made the hairs on his neck rise.
Cain's eyes widen in horror as his throat went dry. She knows both my names. "Who are you?" Cain said with a tense suspicion in his voice."
Samira just smiled. "Follow me," she said, gesturing down the hallway with a fluid motion. Cain rose carefully, still on guard, every muscle in his body coiled for immediate reaction.
As they walked, Cain's eyes widened with amazement. The home they passed through was unlike anything he had ever seen. A giant inner manor with moving and talking portraits on the walls, books floated lightly as if finding their proper place. Gas stoves lit as food prepared itself in quiet harmony. In the corner, a small portrait of a older woman sat stoically with a presences that gave off matriarchal.
"Hello, grandmother," Samira said politely, as she gave a curtsey which surprised Cain. And the portrait returned the gesture. Its eyes lingered on Cain with a knowing gaze that seemed to communicate silently: I am watching you.
Seriously this whole place is like something out of a Harry Potter book, Cain thought. What surprised Cain even more is when he saw a calendar the date was July 31, 1978. So I am in the late 1970's, but something still feels off. Maybe it's the date or this world itself. Cain felt like there was a something or someone watching him, but he couldn't figure out what. Cain's medallion was vibrating nonstop throughout the entire time he was in the home.
They turned down a long hallway to a reach a door that led to a large study. The walls lined with bookshelves, a massive ebony oak desk at the center, and behind it, a portrait of a golden flame that was moving like it was alive and somehow it radiated power and warmth. It looked so real Cain wanted to touch it.
"Come, sit," Samira said, settling into the large chair opposite him. "This is my husband's study, though I tend to use it when he is away for work."
Cain's eyes drifted to her hands, noticing a silver princess-cut ring adorned with a large amethyst stone, circled by sapphire-like gems. He noticed that the ring had very tiny engravings normal eyes wouldn't be able to notice. What was even more amazing the ring had faint magical circling placed on it in the gems themselves.
Cain could tell this was more then just a symbol of her marriage, but something created with great love and care. That ring was probably very powerful and could do something crazy if he wasn't careful.
Cain hesitated at first, then sat knowing resistance was futile in his current situation.
Samira waved her hand gently, and a tea set conjured itself, filling a delicate cup. "Would you like some tea?" she asked.
Cain's voice was cautious but polite. "Yes, green tea, if you have any and..."
"lemon juice and honey with it, I know," she interrupted with a soft smile, finishing his sentence effortlessly. The tea was prepared before him, steam curling in the air, a perfect blend of aroma and warmth.
He did not drink immediately. He knew how tricky and conniving sorceress can be. And someone like her with magical power at a level he's never seen. Cain knew he had to be extremely cautious.
She smiled knowingly. "It's good to see your cautious… perhaps even overly so, but I'd be disappointed if you weren't."
Cain's gaze hardened. " I know It doesn't matter to you either way. If you wanted to poison me or control me then you would have done it by now. So can we please just get to the point already. Tell me what's going on here."
Samira sipped her tea calmly, unhurried, her eyes never leaving his. "Yes, but before we start, which would you prefer? Cain… or Jasen," she began softly."
Cain's eyes narrowed. It frustrated him that she knew more about him then he knew about her. The power balance was to much in her favor. Cain new he would have to change that soon or he would be even more at her mercy. "It doesn't matter to me. Just start talking."
"Very well, I will stick to Cain then." She said, setting the cup aside. She gestured her hand lightly, and the air shimmered with illusions, illustrating her words. "As I mentioned, my name is Samira, and I am a powerful witch, though some may call me a sorceress, wizard, or warlock. All titles are accurate in different contexts. What matters is that I am… a very powerful magic user."
Cain just stared, absorbing the weight of the statement. He knew, vaguely, the distinctions between a wizard, witch, sorceress, and warlock. Wizards gain power through studying and practicing magic. Sorcerers are born with innate magical power. This power can stem from various sources, such as having draconic blood, celestial or other worldly entities blood or blessings. Or just being born with a magical gift.
Warlocks get power through a pact with a supernatural being. Like dragon's. God's. Fey and more. While witches are often associated with nature and or covens. But this is Cain's understanding as he knew from D&D and his studies with the Witcher's. So he knew somethings might be different.
Samira continued, conjuring Illusions that moved around the large desk, forming images of ancient civilizations, glowing symbols Cain didn't recognize. "I come from a very old and powerful line of magic users, descended from one of the highest nobilities on Earth. Even from higher beings, entities you might call them gods. These higher beings united from all over reality to form a sort of society, an organization to be more accurate. And they tasked themselves with balancing the scales and combating those who treat reality as a mere toy, twisting it without care for the consequences."
Cain's brow furrowed. Did she say she was a descendent of a god? Wait did she say multiple gods came together to form a pantheon basically. That sounds like a group of powerful narcissist in one room to big for their ego's.
Samira smiled like she knew what Cain was thinking and continued. "From time to time, they find souls… or souls would find them. The occasional soul would enter and be lost in the void or slip between realities and catch the sight of a bored higher being. They would then nurture these souls, and guide them… but your probably wondering why right?"
"Boredom." Cain said coldly. "A being that is basically immortal has nothing but time on their hands, so it's a good form of entertainment."
Samira's expression softened, though a shadow of frustration crossed her features. " Well your not wrong but your not entirely correct ether. Now I can't tell you everything well not yet for a number of reasons. The main one is because you lack a certain level of soul authority. But the higher beings do what they do for a number of reason's. Majority are good if your part of this organization."
Cain's voice rose slightly. "Soul authority? What is that?"
She shook her head, a faint regret in her eyes. "I cannot explain that yet. Not until you are ready, and even then… some truths are dangerous without proper preparation."
Cain studied her closely. Her body language suggested honesty, not deception. Her gaze was unwavering. She genuinely couldn't tell him. He exhaled sharply, then nodded. "Fine… I can accept that for now. There must be some reason, probably magical that prevents you from telling me. But go on."
Samira's smiled, and she leaned back slightly, hands folded on her lap. "Very well. As I said, I am part of a special lineage. That same lineage is part of this organization. They help fight against cosmic and interdimensional threats, and guiding selected souls through their journeys. You, Cain are one such soul. You were selected, observed, and are being guided, whether you realized it or not. That is why I am here. To instruct, to protect, and to help you navigate what is to come."
Cain's mind raced, processing the enormity of her words. He could feel the magic in the room, a constant hum that tickled his senses. Even in his most heightened state, he had never sensed something so pervasive, so alive. But cosmic beings that could do god knows what are real, and some are good and others see reality like a play thing. This was beyond overwhelming and he still felt like he was no where closer to getting any actual answers.
He straightened in his chair, voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through him. "Okay. Go on please."
Samira watched Cain with those piercing beautiful amber eyes. The moving image of the golden fire behind her seamed to brighten only slightly. As if it was bringing calm to Cain's tense mind. But Cain's mind raced too hard for him to feel at ease. All this information was so much and barely much was said.
Samira lifted her cup elegantly. "To continue answering your questions," she said, her voice smooth as velvet, "I was hired by the higher being who sent you to that world. I am your handler and the one who gave you the system. She smiled with a teasing tilt of her head. "You could say I'm your GM(Game Master) or your systems administrator."
The tea nearly slipped from Cain's fingers.
"Wait...what?" He blinked, trying to process it. " It was you? Why me? Why would some higher being choose me of all people?"
For the first time since he met her, Samira's expression changed. A flash of genuine frustration, and a hint of weary resignation crossed her refined features.
"The system is meant to be a tutorial to be exact. Given to souls who are going to challenging worlds. It is meant to help you, but not every soul get's one it is at the discretion of the the higher being, the administrator or the soul. Sometimes the former two don't care and give the soul the choice if they want the system or not. Just know this. Their are thousands if not millions of different versions of the system, and each one offers different measurements for progress and strength."
Samira sipped her tea before placing it back down. "I will be honest," she said, leaning back. "Your case is extremely rare. The being who assigned you to me… was secretive. She never gave me her true identity. I've never even met her in person. Everything has been through messages, and she hides herself even from others. I couldn't find anything about her."
Cain tried to speak, but all that came out was a quiet: "...I'm confused. What are you trying to say?"
Samira folded her hands neatly. "It happens, though not often. Some higher beings prefer not to interact directly with their chosen soul. They delegate to people like me. I am what you will call a dimensional Witch. I work for the organization to nurture, guide, and ensure you grow in the direction your patron wishes."
Cain's golden eyes narrowed as he rubbed his temples. "So you're the one who sent me to that world. And you're the one who gave me the system. And you're working for this organization under a higher being that not even you know? So your basically… a middle manager for gods?"
Samira's lips curled slightly. "If you wish to phrase it crudely like that then yes. But I handle hundred's of souls not just yours throughout five different universes and timelines. I am the one who handles the process of reincarnation, transmigration, worldbound placement, and system integration. Souls don't just end up in other realities on their own unless extremely special conditions are met. Or it's a 1 in quadrillionth of a chance of happening. Otherwise It must be done carefully. Correctly. And with oversight."
Cain frowned. "So you're a higher being too?"
Samira chuckled while shaking her head.
"Oh gods no. Not even close. I am not a god, nor an eldritch being, nor an Outer Entity. I am a Dimensional Witch. A specialist. My responsibility is to manage the transfer and nurturing of souls across worlds. Think of it like the isekai animes of your old world. An yes I know about those, I have access to the multiverse so I have access to the god of all internets. And the best part none of it is fake or made up. It's is all 100 percent factual with proof." She took a sip of tea with a smirk.
"So think of it as. Instead of meeting God or some all-powerful higher being, you meet the angel or archangel who handles the paperwork. I believe that would be the closes I could scale myself in the hierarchy of the cosmic order. But I can only say that because of my bloodline."
Cain groaned loudly and leaned back in the chair. "Great. Just great. I knew my life was basic enough, but now I'm part of the most basic bitch story trope in fiction."
"Sweetheart," Samira said with a quiet laugh, "don't downplay yourself. Your world is one of the only 13 in the multiverse that favor that trope. Compared to the greater Omniverse that is not even the one percent of all creation. And look all your growth, effort, and accomplishments are your own. I don't make you accept those quests. I only reward your effort, track your progress, and adjust things when necessary. The rest is all you. I have seen millions die to lesser challenges or fall to their own urges."
Cain sighed and finally took a sip of the tea, still warm, with the taste of lemon and a hint of honey in perfect harmony. Perfect. Exactly the way he likes it.
"So…" Cain said slowly, "that elf woman I saw during the Trial of the Dream. Was that you? Did you take some elven form or something?"
Samira shook her head. "No. That was probably your Patron. You have actually seen more of her then I have. She checks in on you periodically. She doesn't interfere directly, but she can speak to you in dreams. Whispered words into your thoughts or speak through the system. So she can watch you whenever she wants. She can order me to adjust your quests or rewards if she deems it necessary." Samira shrugged lightly. "But so far? Besides the two Void Quests, she has barely said a word to either of us."
Cain leaned back, letting the information settle. It was still overwhelming, but he could finally string a few thoughts together.
"Okay," he said. "Then I have two questions."
Samira crossed one long, elegant leg over the other. "Ask away."
"What do I get out of this? And what do you get from being my handler… or from my patron to be exact?"
Samira smiled, and this time it was slow, mature, knowing, and layered with secrets.
"Good questions." She set her cup down carefully. "As for me? Beyond protecting all of creation from those who wish to destroy or twist it… I have my own reasons." Her eyes hardened slightly. "Reasons I will not share."
Cain raised a brow. "Why? Because of my soul authority?"
Samira laughed. A genuine, warm, amused laugh.
"No, it's nothing like that." she said. "Because we're not close or friends. So why would I tell you my personal business. And to be clear outside my husband and my childhood friends. I have no need for more male friends, and you will not becoming one."
Cain blinked, then smirked. "Fair enough I can respect that."
"To answer your other question," she continued, her expression sharpening, "You can gain the power to become someone like me or even a higher being one day. Your soul has the potential especially with your physical body. You possess the Elder Blood trait. A extremely rare trait that's nearly impossible to recreate. Many higher beings have tried and failed. It is only inherited through the original bloodline of Lara Dorren, and even then there are limits. So you are a extremely sought after treasure and your patron is wanted by many for being able to create you with no blood relationship to Lara Dorren. Your trait is one of the extremely rare one percent of the one percent that can travel the Omniverse directly and freely ."
Cain swallowed hard. She said I could travel the Omniverse, and that my Patron created me with no blood relation to the first Elder Blood user. That is beyond insane, I could feel my mind short circuiting from the overload of the information. "So what are you saying, why not transmigrate or reincarnate a soul into Dorren's blood line or alter the world to create a new heir. What about taking the wielders of the blood and bringing them into the organization?"
Samira expression became stoic. "I can't say much to why but certain forces won't allow that to happen on either end. Many others have tried and failed every time, and had to become extremely more powerful or find different methods for moving through realities. It's not as easy as it seems moving from one universe to another, or time traveling in real life like it is in the movies. Your Elder Blood trait is the ultimate skeleton key to both."
Samira then lifted her hand, and folders like for a office file materialized on the desk. Their were multiple piles and the folders were filled with papers. One went floating toward Cain.
"So for transparency sake I will share all I can share with you so you will sign a contract with the organization. ," she said softly, " By becoming an official member of the organization. Under my guidance you can ascend to greater heights and learn all the secrets of all creation."
Cain stared at the floating contract, then back at Samira.
He didn't answer immediately. His eyes narrowed, mind racing, weighing every word.
"I'll consider it," he said slowly, "if you answer one question for me first."
Samira raised an eyebrow. "What question?"
Cain inhaled deeply. He had avoided asking this from the beginning of his new life, fear, confusion, and uncertainty was holding him back. But at this moment, the question felt heavier and scarier than any system quest, any battle, any danger he'd faced.
"How did I die?" he asked quietly. " I don't… remember anything. So I need to know before I agree to anything."
The atmosphere in the room shifted with Cain's Question.