The night wrapped the kingdom in silence, save for the low chants echoing through the ancient summoning square. Pale moonlight bathed the stone-carved runes, glistening faintly as flames danced around the mages in a precise circle. This was a sacred tradition — every hundred years, five beings from distant realms would be summoned to the world of Elarion.
Long ago, this summoning was a desperate cry for aid — a way to call forth heroes strong enough to turn back the tides of demonic invasion. But the demons had long since receded, content within their shadowy lands. Still, tradition lingered. And the king, ever hungry for power, saw opportunity in the relics of the past.
The ritual reached its peak. The air grew thick. Lightning danced across a cloudless sky.
A brilliant flash.
And then — they came.
---
Alex – Lost Inside the Game
He fell hard, knees slamming against stone. A gasp escaped his lips. Alex, dressed in the sleek, dark jacket of a modern world, blinked rapidly as he looked around.
> "Wait... is this a new expansion?"
He reached up instinctively — no headset. No wires. Just the cold touch of real air on his skin and the smell of fire in his nostrils. Panic began to settle beneath his skin.
> "No… this isn't VR. This is real."
He had been playing his favorite fantasy MMORPG when a strange update notification appeared. He clicked it without thinking. Now, he was here — among armored guards, hooded mages, and… actual swords.
But part of him felt excited.
> "If this is the game… then maybe I'm the protagonist."
---
Selena – Chosen by Light
She descended slowly, as if carried by unseen wings. The others landed with force — she arrived in grace. Selena's long white robes fluttered, her golden hair glowing with divine warmth.
> "A vision made real," she whispered.
Selena had always been different in her world. She had grown up in temples, touched by divine energy from birth. Her people called her blessed. Some feared her. But here… she felt whole, as if this realm had been waiting for her.
Kneeling, she placed her hand upon the ground. It pulsed with holy energy.
> "This land… it sings."
---
Ryu – Warrior Without a Home
A crash shook the square as Ryu landed, sword already drawn. His bare arms were covered in scars, his eyes sharp and cold. He stood up without hesitation, surveying his surroundings like a general on a battlefield.
> "Different world. Same chaos."
In his realm, Ryu had known only war. Trained from childhood, he had led armies, lost comrades, and watched his homeland burn in endless conquest. His fists clenched.
> "If this is a trial, I'll break it."
Even in this strange land, he felt grounded — the rules of combat never changed.
---
Kira – A Blade in the Shadows
Her arrival made no sound. One moment, the air shimmered — the next, Kira stood there, hood drawn low over violet eyes. She was slight, nimble, and deadly. A dagger spun in her hand unconsciously.
> "Too open. Too many eyes."
She blended into shadows like they were old friends. In her world, she had been a thief, a ghost, a whisper. No one ever noticed her — until it was too late. She had escaped kings, betrayed lords, and stolen crowns. Survival was all she knew.
But here… she had been summoned. Why?
> "If they think they control me, they're mistaken."
---
Arion – The Unchosen
The final arrival was silent — almost forgotten. Arion, a quiet boy with pale skin and trembling hands, landed on the edge of the circle. Unlike the others, he didn't look strong. His cloak was tattered, eyes wide with fear.
> "Why me? What is this place?"
Magic flickered at his fingertips — unsteady, uncertain. Back in his village, he was just another nameless boy with strange dreams and mysterious powers. No mentor, no destiny. Just... questions.
He looked at the others — they stood tall. They seemed ready. He didn't.
> "Maybe it was a mistake. I shouldn't be here."
---
The crowd around them murmured. The King's High Mage raised his hands, his voice booming:
> "The five have come. From distant realms, summoned by ancient will."
But there was no applause. Just the wind and the crackle of fire.
Unbeknownst to the five, this ritual was no longer about defense. It was a spectacle — a ceremony meant to draw mana, attention, and reverence. These "heroes" were no longer saviors — just powerful tools in the King's arsenal.
Far above, hidden in the palace balcony, a figure in a golden robe watched with a smirk.
> "Let the games begin…"