Martin heard chanting he opened his eyes to see he was lying on a stone slab. A sigil had been carved on his chest and he was bleeding.
"What the hell is going on" Martin thought. He sat up on the stone slab and two people helped him down. They were in a stuffy dark cave. All they had for light were lanterns and torches. Martin felt something was off. Immediately he was down from the slab the people chanting got on their knees.
"Hail, Great One," they said bowing their heads.
"Rise," Martin said in a voice he did not recognize. He ignored the worshipper and searched for a way out. When he got out he saw trees, really huge and tall ones. As he walked he noticed he was further from the ground. He then noticed he was further away from the ground. He had much longer hair which ticked his neck. Much different from his short blonde one. He ran searching for something with a reflection. As he ran he stepped into a puddle and stopped. He knelt by the puddle and waited for the water to settle.
Immediately it did he saw his face but it was not his. He touched it just to be sure. He stumbled back and fell trying to get away from the puddle.
"Kumi?" a woman in a red robe asked. Martin looked at her.
"It did not work, the ritual failed. He is not the great one."
The woman said to others who were approaching them.
"What didn't work? Someone, please tell me what is happening." Martin asked but they ignored him they turned and walked away.
"Wait," Martin said and chased after them. They took off their robes and dropped them as they went. Martin who was only in a pair of pants took a robe and put it on.
"What is that sound?" Martin said and tried to follow it but it was impossible. It was everywhere but nowhere. Martin remembered bleeding out in the woods. He decided to go back there and search for answers. Frogs cracked and crickets creaked as he walked in between huge trees. He was barefooted and his feet made a smacking noise each step. Immediately he got out of the forest he saw a town way down in the valley.
He started to descend the mountain on his way he saw a man. On his back was a basket with straps. Inside were colorful fruits.
"Excuse me, where am I?" Martin asked the man.
"It seems you are not from here. Be careful who you talk to on these roads." The man said and walked away before Martin could utter another word.
He continued down the mountain. Further down he saw a carriage. It looked like it had been in an accident. Martin found it very suspicious. The ground was wet but he did not notice any skid marks. He decided to ignore it and pass by.
When he was close to the carriage, men jumped out of the bushes. They had knives which they pointed at him.
"Give us everything you have." One of the three men said.
"I am a man of the cloth of the Sovereign Church. Silver and gold I have none. All I have is the grace of god." with a smile on his face Martin hid his fear.
"Which of the gods, tell him or her to give you money? Your life depends on it." One of the robbers said and laughed. At that moment Martin could not hide his fear.
He had always been a non-violent man. He always tried to talk his way out of situations. Mostly it worked but today was not one of those days. One of the men hit him in the face with the hilt of his dagger. Immediately his nose started to bleed. Martin pinched the bridge of his nose. They quickly searched for him but found nothing.
"We would let you go, that owe us." One of the robbers said before giving him a smack on his back.
"The Cloth of the Sovereign Church should have worked. What is this about multiple gods? I thought this was Sovereign Church jurisdiction." Martin mumbled to himself.
When he got to the town gate two guards stopped him.
"What is the purpose? Of your visit?" One of the guards asked.
"Business?" Martin said and one of the guards reached out his hand. Martin grabbed it and shook it.
"Identification." the guard said after snatching his hand.
"Oh, I think I might have misplaced my identification," Martin said patting himself.
"It is fine, you can get a temporary business identification from the guild." one of the guards said.
"I will escort you." the other said and ushered Martin into the town. It was noisy people yelled behind stores.
"So which guild, you said business so I am guessing merchant's," the guard said and Martin nodded.
"So are you selling or buying?" the guard asked and Martin realized he had nothing to sell or money to buy.
"Actually, I was robbed on my way here. I need to make some money to start my business." Martin said hoping to be called out or scolded.
"Okay, let's go to the adventurers guild. You can earn money doing menial jobs." the guard said and changed course to the adventurers guild.
"Guilds, Adventurers, I am really in another world in another body." Martin thought as he tried to wrap his brain around everything.
"Selina, this is…"
"Martin" Martin interjected.
"He was robbed and is looking for a minimal job to make some money." The guard introduced Martin to the guild receptionist.
"Follow me, let's get you tested." Selina waved Martin over.
"I just need minimal jobs like picking herbs and searching for lost pets. I don't think a test would be necessary.
"Mr Martin, we test everyone before issuing a guild identification card. It is the law. " Selina said with a polite smile.
Martin's heart started to pound. It beat faster and faster.
"Place your hand on this mat," Selina said after laying a mat with symbols on it.