The hulking creature burst through the undergrowth like a nightmare, a massive wolf-like beast with three eyes and fur that seemed to absorb the moonlight. Saliva dripped from jaws that could easily fit Ben's entire head in it.
Ben dove sideways, slapping the Omnitrix mid-roll. "Really hoping Four Arms works here!"
Green light erupted. The familiar surge of transformation swept through him, four arms erupting from his torso, red skin toughening, muscles expanding with Tetramand strength. He landed in a crouch, fists ready.
"FOUR-ARMS!!!"
The beast didn't hesitate. It lunged.
Four Arms caught it mid-leap, all four hands gripping its fur and muscle. The impact drove him back several feet, but he held firm. "Yeah! Still got it!" He pivoted, using the creature's momentum to slam it into a tree.
The trunk exploded into splinters. The beast yelped, then dissolved into purple mist.
"What the—" Four Arms stumbled backward. Where the creature had been, only a fading magical circle remained in the air, arcane symbols Ben didn't recognize burning themselves out.
A woman's voice called from the trees. "Stay where you are, demon!"
Four figures emerged from the forest, weapons drawn. They wore leather and chainmail, actual medieval armor, and held swords that glowed with soft blue light. The leader, a woman with sharp features and brown hair tied back, pointed her blade at Four Arms.
"I'm not a demon!" Four Arms held up all four hands. "I'm just....this is gonna sound weird but....I'm human. Most times...It's complicated."
"Silence!" The woman advanced. "You destroyed a shadow hound with your bare hands. You are clearly a summoned creature. Where is your master?"
"I don't have a master! I'm Ben Tennyson, wielder of the Omnitrix, and I need to—" The Omnitrix beeped. Four Arms looked down in horror as the timeout symbol flashed. "Oh, come on, not now!"
Red light flashed. Ben returned to human form, standing in his normal clothes looking very much like a confused teenager.
The four warriors froze, weapons lowering slightly in shock.
"See?" Ben said weakly. "Human. Totally human. Well, mostly human. Three-quarters? Look, the point is I'm not going to hurt anyone."
The leader exchanged glances with her companions. One, a younger man with a bow, whispered urgently. "Captain Lyra, he transformed. Just... transformed from a four-armed giant into a child."
"I'm sixteen!, not a child!" Ben protested.
Lyra's eyes narrowed, studying him. Her gaze locked onto the Omnitrix. "What manner of device is that?"
Ben instinctively covered it with his other hand. "This? It's... uh... a family heirloom?"
"It radiates power." An older warrior stepped forward, his gray beard braided. "I can sense it, Captain. That trinket holds magic unlike anything I've felt. Ancient alien magic. "
"Alien, yes! Magic, no. It's the greatest technology across five galaxies" Ben paused. "Although lately the distinction seems pretty blurred."
Lyra sheathed her sword slowly, a decision that seemed to pain her. "You are either the most foolish spy I've ever encountered, or you truly are lost. Neither option makes you safe." She gestured to her team. "Bind him. We take him to Ironveil for questioning."
"Wait, I'm not your enemy!" Ben backed up. "I just need to figure out where I am and how to get home!"
"Then you'll cooperate." Lyra's hand moved back to her sword hilt. "Or my men will assume you're hostile."
Ben looked at the four warriors, then at his Omnitrix. Still recharging. He could try to run, but where? He was lost in what looked like a medieval fantasy world with no idea how he'd gotten here or how to leave.
"Fine," he sighed. "But for the record, I'm cooperating because I'm a good guy, not because you're threatening me."
"Noted," Lyra said dryly.
As the younger warrior approached with rope, Ben caught sight of something through the trees, a massive city wall in the distance, torches burning along its length. Beyond it, castle spires reached toward twin moons hanging in an ink-black sky.
Twin moons. Definitely not Earth.
"Where exactly is Ironveil?" Ben asked.
Lyra followed his gaze to the city. "The greatest kingdom in all of Aethermoor." She looked back at him. "You truly don't know where you are, do you?"
Ben stared at the impossible moons. "Not even a little bit."