The Spell

As I stand here in this world, I can feel the weight of my frustrations heavy on my chest. My heart aches at the thought of the corruption that runs rampant in the world, and I can't help but feel like most people are inherently evil.

It's not just the people in power - though they are undoubtedly some of the worst culprits. Even the average person, the person walking down the street next to me, seems to be consumed by their own selfish desires.

It's a cruel irony that my skills are better suited to a time centuries in the past. I'm a skilled fighter, trained in hand-to-hand combat and swordsmanship, but in this world of guns and technology, what good does that do me?

I suppose I could try to learn how to use a gun, but that seems like a betrayal of my own principles. And even if I did, what good would it do me when my opponent is always standing so far away?

It's not like this world is completely without hope, either. There is magic here, though it's so weak that it hardly seems worth the effort. Even the simplest spells fail most of the time.

I've devoted my life to the study of magic, but for what? To cast minor spells that barely do anything? It feels like a cruel joke.

And so I've made a decision. After years of praying for an answer, I finally received it. The eclipse is happening, and I'm ready to perform the spell.

Of course, the spell requires six other people to help me, but finding even one person who believes in magic and knows how to use it properly is almost impossible.

People look at me like I'm crazy when I talk about magic. They've even threatened to put me into an insane asylum.

But I've found a way around that. I've poured my own magical energy into stones that represent each element, and I'll use them instead of actual people. I'll also have the physical element on hand, just in case.

I don't know what the future holds, but I'm willing to take the risk. Anything is better than staying in this world, feeling like I don't belong.

As I prepare for the spell, I carefully gather the necessary materials for each element. For earth, I choose a small dish of salt to represent the grounding and stability of the element. For water, I fill a small vial with holy water, which I acquired from a local church. Fire is represented by a small campfire, which I set up in a safe location within the circle. For air, I light a stick of incense, allowing the fragrant smoke to fill the air and represent the element's freedom and movement.

For light and dark, I choose simple white and black candles, respectively, to represent their elemental forces. Once all the elements are gathered, I place them in their designated positions around the circle.

With everything in place, I carefully draw the circle in salt as instructed, ensuring that the lines are unbroken and that the circle is complete. I take a deep breath and prick my finger with a sterilized needle, letting a small drop of blood fall onto each of the stones and inside each place of the circle, infusing them with my energy and power.

As I stand in the center of the circle, I begin to chant the incantation: “Anima ank areyu altima soryu, angelu ethera voo.” I throw my hands into the air and yell, "WORLDS COLLIDE!" at the top of my lungs, feeling the surge of energy and power flowing into me.

Suddenly, a bright flash of light fills the area, and I feel myself falling upwards. It's a strange and disorienting sensation, but I know that I'm on the right path. My feet touch down in a small chamber, and I look around in wonder. Everything around me feels not quite substantial, almost like a dream, but I know that I'm fully conscious.

As I take in my surroundings, I notice a door opening in the middle of the air, seeming to come out of nowhere. A man steps through the door, dressed in a white t-shirt, sandals, and blue jeans. His face has an almost ageless quality, and I feel a sense of recognition, as if I've known him all my life.

“Hello Jordan, I see you actually tried that spell,” The man said.

          “Where am I and who are you?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

The man looked a little uncomfortable, as if deciding what he could and couldn’t share with me. “My name is Metatron, and I am a Seraphim, one of the highest classes of angels. As to where you are? Let’s call it a nexus. A space in between all places. I had a feeling you would perform the spell without the other six people needed, and so I knew you would end up here.”

I stared at him, trying to take in what he was saying. “Is this because I messed up the spell?” I asked.

Metatron smiled a knowing smile. “The spell worked just fine, but without the other people, you were not able to travel quite as far as you should have. And so, you have landed here.”

“What happens now?” I asked. All I could picture was having to stay in this area for the rest of my life. Bored, in a vast void with nothing.

Metatron seemed to understand how I was feeling, and he gave me a reassuring smile. “Fear not, for I have been sent here to help you on your way. If you had found and coerced the other six people to help you with the spell, you would have been whisked away to some other place with only what you had on you. Take heart, because you are here, and because you are still needed, I have been told to give you a gift. This may sting a bit.”

Metatron raised his hands and mumbled something in a language I couldn’t understand. As he spoke, I started feeling a painful burning sensation on my wrists. When I looked down at them, I saw a brand on each wrist. They were Japanese symbols. On the left wrist was the symbol for heaven, and on the right was the symbol for earth. A small leather bag appeared at my feet, and I felt as if a small string was attaching itself from the bag to each wrist. My memory suddenly felt clearer than ever before, and my body was a bit lighter. I then felt as if I was shrinking a bit.

“ I have given you the ability to speak, read, and understand the languages of all sentient mortal beings. The bag at your feet holds an extra-dimensional pocket that will allow you to store an almost infinite amount of items inside it. Just think of the item you want from it and open one of your hands. The bag is connected to the symbols on each wrist. For now, it contains two swords, two knives, and your survival gear from your world. I have also enhanced your memory a bit. You will not have an eidetic memory, but pretty close. I also took the liberty to age you down a bit. You are now 16 years old. I left your memories and experiences intact. To make up for the decrease in age, I strengthened your body a bit as well. You should be able to get around just fine.”

I looked at myself and the bag, astonished. I concentrated on a sword and opened my right hand a bit. A beautiful black katana appeared in my hand. As I focused on the second sword and my left hand, another katana appeared in it. This one was white. It almost looked like it was glowing.

“How do I put them away?” I asked Metatron. I figured I could always just put them in the bag myself, but I wanted to be sure.

“Just relax your hand and envision them disappearing into your bag, they should disappear as quickly as they appeared in your hands.” Metatron explained.

I did as he said and the katana disappeared. After a few more attempts, I found that I could summon and dismiss my blades with ease, and even other items from the bag. The bag itself seemed to be made of a strange, otherworldly material that I couldn't quite place. I could see it shimmering in the light, almost as if it was alive.

"Thank you so much," I said, "These gifts will be invaluable to me on my travels."

Metatron smiled warmly at me. "It is my pleasure to assist those who are in need. Now, it is time for you to depart. I will send you to another world, as you requested. Please keep in mind that it may not be possible for you to return to your own world, but with free will comes the power of choice. I wish you the best of luck on your journey, Jordan."

"Thank you, Metatron," I replied. "I hope I won't need your help anytime soon, but I'm grateful to know that it's there if I do."

Metatron nodded and began chanting softly under his breath. The words were familiar to me, echoing the spell I had used to transport myself here. I closed my eyes and felt a wave of light and energy wash over me.