Reborn And Chosen By Three Gods

CHAPTER 3

The man pulled the tunic over his head, then froze as Hemlin's words finally began to sink in. "Wait... what did you say about being brought to the world."

  Hemlin nodded grimly. "You are in the catacombs of the Cathedral of Rebirth in the capital city of Genthale in the Human Kingdom of Thale. Welcome, new arrival." At the older man's words, Baxly mirrored the older man's gesture and bowed his head as the ritual required.

  Confused eyes watched the two men cautiously as his head shook slowly. "Your world? You're telling me I'm not on Earth?"

  Hemlin nodded. "Yes, you have been reborn on our world. Many new arrivals have no memory of their previous lives. Can you tell me if you recall anything? Do you know your name?"

  The younger man leaned back in shock. "I-I remember everything. My name is Alex Frost. H-how do I know this isn't some elaborate prank?"

  Baxly snorted in surprise, then looked embarrassed. "Apologies. This is the first time I've heard a new arrival express such doubts."

  Hemlin shot him an annoyed look. "It isn't mine." He turned his attention back to the young man named Alex Frost. "The Gods always deliver people who've recently died on their world. Do you remember your final moments?" He saw Alex jolt from the recollection and nodded grimly. "I see you do. You will have been restored to a fully healed condition. Old scars will no longer be present, though you appear too young to have experienced those."

  He watched the young man quickly examine his arms and right leg, pressing the skin on the outside of his ankle. When he finished his inspection, Hemlin saw incredulous acceptance beginning to sink in.

  "When you leave the temple, you will see more evidence that you are no longer on... Urth. Humans are not the only race which live on our world—"

  "What's its name?" Alex asked.

  Hemlin smiled amusedly. "It is the world. There is only one. It needs no name. In the city of Genthale, you will primarily encounter Humans, Dwarves, Elves, a few Orcs, and even less Beast-Kin. Out beyond the walls, you will see these and others. The creatures of this world are not like the ones in yours, and many will attempt to kill you. The world is not an easy place to survive. The Gods have brought you here to be an Adventurer. Their will must be followed with utmost obedience—"

  He stopped when he saw the man scowl.

  Alex shook his head slowly. Something was bothering him about this last part. "I don't know these Gods. Where I was born, I followed the one God until... I couldn't. I'm not ready to leap back into blind faith." He seemed to be waiting for a reaction from Hemlin and Baxly.

  The old man sighed. This wasn't his first unbeliever either. "You don't believe what your eyes tell you?" he asked calmly.

  Alex glanced down at his leg, which no longer had a long scar from an operation, then held Hemlin's eyes with his. "I'm not saying that. Something... miraculous has happened, but I don't understand the intent behind it. I don't know the names you spoke of or what they represent. On my world, I learned that the God I followed didn't always play fair... even when you followed their rules and worshipped them properly. Terrible cruelty...." Alex's voice tapered off as his eyes saw something only for him.

  He gave himself a shake, but his expression remained closed off. "I'm not interested in playing games with another God—did you say three?"

  Hemlin nodded, then shrugged. "It is your choice to follow or shun the God, or Gods in this case, who brought you to this world. Be aware they have given you blessings, which are abilities beyond the scope of normal beings. The purpose of this is to give you a fighting chance to survive the trials this world will send you. As a new arrival, you're expected to register with the Adventurer's Guild. They will give you the prerequisite training for your gifts. Those given these blessings are expected to be Adventurers. You also must repay the Guild for the room, board, and education they offer during this time by undertaking some training missions. Once you pass these and become a leveled Adventurer, you're on your own. You must earn a living to pay for your food, lodgings, and equipment. In the city of Genthale, all citizens are expected to work for a living or leave the city and fend for themselves in the wild. You might find some village within the Kingdom of Thale that might accept you, but you'd better be ready to work there as well. You'll get more information on this at the Guild Hall." He turned to his assistant. "A registration card, please."

  Baxly stood still with a worried expression. "I don't believe we have any for Agron, Ullentra, or Ffornexa. Haven't needed them."

  Hemlin grumbled, then snapped at his underling. "Get me one for Wavesh. I'll cross out the name and add the others."

  Baxly nodded and rushed over to the counter to return with the card in question and a writing implement.

  Hemlin scribbled quickly, then handed the small card to Alex. "You present this to the clerk at the Guild Hall, and they will register you." He gestured to Alex's feet, reminding the man to put on his slippers.

  The old man watched the young, fit man easily squat down to cinch the ties on the loose slippers. This made him reflect on how unfair life was. He would give anything to move so easily without pain, have so many years ahead of him, and have a chance to earn more income than this job gave.

  Then he realized this particular new arrival could help him with the last wish. He could earn quite a bonus from his contact for a new arrival with such a unique status. Three Gods! It was unheard of! He decided to take this opportunity.

  He turned to Baxly. "Quickly, before the sun rises above the horizon. Check the alcoves. There was a mat by the door."

  His assistant jumped and moved to prepare the alcoves as ordered.

  "I'll guide you out," Hemlin said to Alex, gesturing for him to follow.

  He walked up the stairs, feeling his back tweak as he climbed. When they reached the cathedral, he glanced at Alex and saw the man was impressed with the splendor of the high vaulted ceiling and rich ornamentation, but it wasn't a look of awe. He was simply admiring the architecture, as a non-believer would.

  All the more reason for Hemlin not to feel guilty for what he was about to do.

  They walked to the grand doors at the front of the building, and he realized it was still a few minutes before they would open them. Was his contact even there?

  He turned to Alex. "A moment, please, as I prepare the doors. You did arrive outside of normal hours."

  The younger man nodded and looked back at the grand display.

  Hemlin undid the locks and poked his head out the door. He gratefully spotted his contact across the wide plaza and saw the man's eyes locked on his in interest. Hemlin tapped the door with three widespread fingers, indicating a high-value target. From the nod he received, he knew the man would be ready.

  He turned back inside and faced Alex, noting no one else was in earshot. "You're in luck. A Guild representative is waiting across the plaza. Find the man in the red leather vest. He'll take you to Guild Hall. Good luck." He pulled the door open and gently guided the man outside before closing the door behind him.