7 Worlds: The 4th World Vol. 1

I awoke to a constant monotonous beeping noise.

“I'm up, I'm up,” I whined, glancing at the clock on my phone, 7:00a.m. just as I had planned.

Three months had passed and it was now December. I had been training the entire time, well--besides school and some breaks. I had learned a quite few things about abilities, and incantations. For one, the words spoken to activate anything are only necessary until there is a strong connection between the Guardian and Dratmana. The only way to strengthen the connection is to channel my quanum through Cadeyrn daily. Secondly, the more complex the application, the more words must be spoken. Thirdly, a Guardian that is fully bonded with their Dratmana could equip them, and use spells and abilities without a word.

“Guess I’ll wash up and go out for breakfast. Oh, I better leave mom a note as well so she doesn't worry,” I thought aloud, mother tended to sleep in on weekends, she found it easier for her to deal with the rest of the week, and us.

Throwing off the covers, I walked into the washroom to shower. It was a short shower, I never liked being in there too long when it was cold out. Quickly dressing, I rushed down the stairs, snatched my jacket from the coat closet and slid into my new shoes before heading out the door. As winter was approaching, I opted for some winterized shoes instead of boots. Shoes usually weren't warm enough during winters in this area, and the winters weren't really long enough to justify buying boots. Plus, I never really liked boots, so I decided to make a compromise.

“This will do nicely,” I thought as I adjusted myself in the mirror and headed out the door. “Maybe I’ll go to ‘The Main Course’ for breakfast,” I thought aloud as I took in the cool refreshing air.

I always tried to support local businesses, and they had good food so it was a practical win for everyone involved.

As I stood outside my door, texting my mother that I was going out, I took a moment to appreciate the weather. Unexpectedly however, a chance glance to my right caused me to notice Nicole walking down the street. Her long black hair and soft features caught my attention immediately. My heart started racing and I could feel my face burn in the morning chill as it flushed red. In a single instant, the seemingly normal day flashed to a nightmare. It’s not that I didn’t want to see her, but I was so incredibly unprepared for…THIS.

“Why would she be coming down this street?! She lives on the other side of town, and my street of all streets?! WHY?!” I thought, screaming internally.

“Calm down Cian,” I told myself. “There's got to be some perfectly reasonable explanation for this,” I thought, but then I couldn't help thinking that she was coming to see me.

Deep down I knew that was impossible, but my mind wouldn't allow me to nullify the possibility - stupid brain.

My heart continued to beat out of control and my mind raced as I watched her every step. I decided the best course of action was to go on about my business and try to avoid any confrontation with her. I threw my hood up over my head and stared at the ground as I headed down the street.

As we crossed paths, I kept my eyes fixed on the ground, determined to conceal my identity. After a few seconds, I estimated that she was a safe distance behind me, so I removed my hood and continued walking forward. It was ironic really- all I ever wanted was for her to notice me at school. Now that I had a chance encounter with her outside of those settings, I was doing my best to go unnoticed. Sure we were friends and talked occasionally at school, but this wasn’t school.

As I continued my journey, I heard a loud smash come from behind me. I came to a complete stop, my heart pounding anew and my focus returning. Caderyn was sounding an alarm in my head - and probably had been for a while now.

I immediately spun around to see Nicole with her back against a wall and a monster standing right in front of her preparing for its next meal. To her credit, she didn’t scream.

Without thinking I called my armor and weapon in sword form which I’d named Moralltach.

“Lightning DASH!” I yelled, Inazuma adeptly acknowledging the command and suddenly I accelerated towards the monster, swinging my sword down, bisecting it in one smooth motion.

With the time frame of a mere seven seconds, I'd slain the beast and started sealing. Seven seconds was easily a new record for me, but I didn’t have time to be impressed.

“Shadows of twilight, quell your rage and be still!” I yelled, holding my hand out in the direction of the beast, attempting to focus more quanum to speed up the seal.

After successfully sealing the beast, I broke out in a cold sweat realizing my terrible mistake - I never put on my seal!

“Did she notice me?” I thought to myself, quickly realizing it would have been impossible not to have noticed something amiss at this point—7 seconds is a long time you idiot.

I decided to worry about the consequences later. Quickly, I searched the surroundings and saw no one, just Nicole and myself. Picking her up I dashed to a nearby forest, it was a favourite spot of mine. Everything was happening so fast that Nicole clearly didn't know what to think. She hadn't even had a chance to scream in fear yet. In just a matter of seconds, the surroundings transformed into a dense, dark abyss as we ventured into the forest. Our island was a strong advocate for preserving nature, resulting in an abundance of flourishing forests that I had deep appreciation for. Not only did they provide a picturesque backdrop, but also served as a convenient hiding and training spot. I came to a stop in a clearing and placed her on a flattened boulder. Nicole began immediately staring in my direction, she could most definitely see me and quite clearly at that.

“Crap,” I thought to myself, “How the heck am I going to explain this?”

“Are you ok?” I found myself asking automatically, smiling gently.

Nicole struggled a bit but nodded a speechless yes. I could see her trying to rationalize the information, but eventually the final thread of mental fortitude snapped causing her to burst into tears as she stood and hugged me tightly. I could feel my face flush red once again and my heart started racing for the third time this morning. The cool air blew her hair into my face - she smelled soo nice.

“W-what are you doing?!” I yelled as I stood frozen in surprise.

“T-that was…” she trailed off, sobbing gently as her body trembled in shock. “It happened so fast…I don’t even…” she tried to continue but her fight-or-flight response had kicked in.

I sighed, realizing fear was the only reason for this embrace, but decided to enjoy the cliche hero moment regardless.

“It's ok now, the monster is gone,” I said confidently.

We stood there silently as Nicole embraced me tightly, her trembling slowly starting to subside. The tree branches brushed against each other and the leaves rustled as the wind picked up, bringing with it the cool scent of an impending snow fall.

“So...Umm...What was that thing... And..How did you do that?” Nicole asked sniffling, breaking the embrace and rubbing tears from her eyes.

Now I was really surprised as I watched Nicole become unnaturally calm. I couldn’t believe her sudden mental fortitude. I was also deeply saddened as the chill wind brushed her warmth off my body.

“W-well....U-umm...That was a monster from a place called the 4th world…and I'm a 4th world Guardian? These are my devices, Cadeyrn and Inazuma…” I said, displaying my pendant while stammering, trying to maintain composure.

“Ok...I kind of understand...But then again, I don't…At all.... And really, Inazuma? Do you even know what that means?” Nicole said with a light chuckle, presumably at the ridiculousness of the situation.

“I like the name?” I said, with a sheepish shrug.

“If you say so,” she chuckled.

I started from the beginning and explained the situation as best I could. The whole explanation still took about an hour during which, to demonstrate my unusual abilities, I erected a barrier around us and created small orbs of fire that floated in the air and provided heat.

“So this is all new to you too…that’s so incredibly bizarre, and yet…well anyways, thanks for saving me,” Nicole said earnestly.

Nicole smiled kindly and brushed away the remaining wetness from around her eyes.

“Eheh...No problem,” I said, smiling awkwardly, knowing full-well that I’d probably screwed up any possibility of having a romantic relationship with her.

“What now my master?” Cadeyrn questioned.

“First of all, Nicole. You can't tell anyone. Not because I’m worried about my reputation or anything…. But well, maybe I am?…I don’t know, because it would probably be bad?” I said, trying to sound authoritative, and failing.

“Even if I did, who would believe me?” She said, matter-of-factly.

“Good point, but still…” I said, as an idea popped into my head. "Here, let's exchange numbers just in case,” I said, as I reached for my phone and entered in the number she gave me as she did likewise.

I felt like I was taking advantage of the situation to get her number, but I honestly was just concerned for her safety—okay, maybe I was taking some advantage of the situation.

“If you’re ever in trouble, call and I’ll be there in a matter of seconds,” I spoke, more confidently than I felt.

“Th....Thank you. Well... I should probably go home now…” Nicole said, awkwardly, her cheeks reddening.

“Do you want me to walk with you?” I asked hopefully.

“No, no, I'm ok thanks,” she replied quickly.

“Alright then, see you at school I guess?” My disappointment was immeasurable but I did have her number now.

“Of course, as long as you’re not late. Bye,” she said cheekily as she turned to leave.

“I’ll have to remember to set more alarms,” I said, which earned a chuckle, before heading on my way.

There was still time for breakfast so I continued the rest of my hopefully peaceful outing. I always chose to walk down the main street of town. The variable grade of the land made for great exercise and I honestly loved walking. This part of town was my favourite, the elevation let you see an incredible portion of the island. The sparkling sea surrounding the island was usually bathed in sunlight during this time of day. Today however, the sky was just an endless wall of grey which ushered in the impending snow fall. Suddenly I felt a strange aura wash over me. It felt similar to the aura from a few months ago but perverted in a malicious way.

“What the hell is this...?” I asked aloud as the oppressive aura grew significantly more potent.

The aura was enough to change the density of the air making it hard to breathe.

“It seems to be coming closer at a very high speed. It will reach you in about 47 seconds,” Cadeyrn responded with a distinct lack of alarm.

”Damn it, that’s fast!” I shouted as I turned off of the main road, headed to a secluded part of town, and erected a barrier.

It was a newly abandoned renovation project so there wasn’t anyone around -- this should do nicely.

“Ready Cadeyrn, Inazuma?” I asked urgently.

“Yes, my master.” They replied confidently.

“Cadeyrn, Moralltach!” I yelled, then I called out my new experimental form of armor.

“Lightning mail!”

“System connected. Form change command accepted. Activating,” Cadeyrn and Inazuma stated.

A white flash of light filled a five meter radius around me, then dissipated leaving me clad in glistening half plate armor and a long red broadsword. The style was definitely out of place in our modern society but I thought it looked cool. Over the last few months, I had wanted to capitalize on my explosive speed and offensive strength rather than defense, so I designed an armor set that would provide decent enough defense in my vital areas but allow me the speed necessary to attack. To accompany it, I devised a sword form that was light and enchanted with wind and fire to assist me in dealing swift powerful strikes.

“System 100% active and functional,” Cadeyrn and Inazuma stated once more.

A deafening crash interrupted my thoughts and I instinctively jumped back. A bright sphere of light had smashed into the ground in front of me, shattering the asphalt and raising a thick cloud of dust. I immediately shifted into a defensive stance, my heart racing with a mix of fear and excitement - excitement I’d soon regret.