Welcome to my world by D.A.Sanford - HTML preview

Last minute decisions

I pull over onto a dirt spot off the road. One of those many pull over spots on these back roads. This is my land where I have stopped. There is a dirt bank that is climbable but it is around twenty feet up to a flat area. There is what looks like a tall hedge bush but it is slightly thin towards the road.

I climb up to the bush, starting to go in, when I hear someone shouting to me and pointing up the road in the direction my car is pointing. “Hey you, there is a convention just a mile further. They do have those porta potties there. You don’t need to go into the woods to relieve yourself.”

Looking down, I see two late teens both dressed in costumes. Their look is like those Chinese fighters from that fighter combat game. Right down to those conical straw hats. They, for whatever reason, are walking to that cosplay convention being held there.

Going on a hunch that they are into what they fantasize about. Lands of adventure, magic and combat. I know what I am going to do so I actually tell them the truth. “I do not need to relieve myself. This is actually a portal to my realm. A doorway so to speak to a world of fantasy and adventure. Care to come?”

I look at their faces when they see me transform before their eyes. They saw me as a man in his fifties, now change before their eyes into the classic white haired, long beard wizard right down to the robe, hat and staff,

“My realm could use a few more warriors. Care to come? You can just continue to that wonderful but pale imitation of a fantasy world you were going to or come with me.”

They hesitantly climb to me. I think that they figure that two to one, they could best me. The get to where I am standing but hesitate.

“Oh, one thing I must do for you.”

I touch each with my staff. Now they know that I am the real deal. “Before you enter, I had to give you the knowledge, the muscle memory and the extra strength you will need for my realm. You will see just what real adventure is like. By the way, the women will like you both.”

I now enter the bush and they follow. They are amazed that there is a clear labyrinth where there should be just a trunk and branches.

“I’m the great wizard Samuel. My trusted warriors what are your real names, not your invented character’s names. Your name, not your imitation name, is what needs to be written in our history.”

One tells me that his name is Peter and the other says that his is Ken.

I am leading and they are following. It looks to them like a dead end. I extend my hand, pull back what to them looks like a curtain. “Sir Peter, Sir Ken, welcome to my realm. Zentopia.”

They are stunned at the sight of a very sunny pasture. Strange animals walking over to the opening. Sniffing the air and know that I am back but they are cautious of the new scents.

“Don’t worry my children.” I tell them. “These are new warriors that are on our side. They are new here so please treat them nice.”

To say that the two are in shock is an understatement. Now before them, they see those animals change into females of different humanoid forms. What were wildcats, wolves, rabbits and such are now very attractive felids, canids, lupins and others.

The lupins are showing no restraint and glom onto the two but now almost all of them are paying their respects to me. Telling me that it has been too long since I left. I pat and kiss each and tell them I am sorry.

“When we get to the castle, presents for all. These two are Sir Peter and Sir Ken. Ladies, please wait until the castle to jump them. They do need to get the feel of the land being new here. You do not. Please restrain yourselves. That includes the two of you. Do you understand Sir Peter and Sir Ken?”

The tip of my staff crackles with sparks. Even the females snap to attention at the sight. They in their way, show that what I say in that tone needs to be heeded or you will suffer the consequences.

Before we leave, I point to a stone arch. “If you ever want to return to that world, just walk through the arch. Be warned, no one from my realm can go through that arch. They will cease to exist. You both are allowed to go out but you will never be allowed back if you are not with me. You will revert back to those two young men in costumes. I go out some times to conduct some business and make that world know that I own that land. My car is only there when I am there. Do you understand what I have just told you?

If you become attached to one or more of the ladies, you cannot leave with them. They would instantly cease to exist in both this realm and that world. That is death for them and they know it

You are not the first I have brought here. Not the first to be warned. If you kill one of my children by trying to take them with you, you too will just cease to exist. A search of the woods in that world will find your bones and rule your death as a suicide. Right now, if you are unsure of wanting to stay here, walk through the arch now.”

They do not, so we all walk to my castle.

Each time I come back, I wonder why I leave. I know that it is to get my children presents but also to make sure that the other world is still there. Each time I go there, it is closer and closer to not being there. There may come a time to break that arch and open another to a different world. It would have to be a peaceful world.

I will need to sit down with these two once we get them settled in the castle but it will need to be soon. The arch has been given a spell. It will change to a full red if that world is gone but a yellow if it is close. Then the two will have to make their final choice. That arch is now showing some yellow but down at the base it has just a hint, a slight ring of red.

For right now, there is still time. I know that question they will have for me and I have already thought about it. Their family there. I would question their motives if they did not ask for their families to come here. If they do not ask, I’ll send them on an errand and destroy the arch.

The biggest thing will be is their initial reaction when I tell them that their world is going to be destroyed. That is why I need to nip these thoughts in the bud. As soon as today at the castle.

We crest the top of the rolling plain and there it is, my castle. It is not like any of those fairy tale ones but also deceivingly lacking in the ability to withstand even a strong wind. The two are amazed. It is not shabby by any means. A sturdy wooden mansion but I could see in their eyes that I must be crazy to call it a castle.

“Time to test your new abilities.” I tell the two. “Think lightning and then make like you are holding a pistol and pull the trigger. Aim at that place.”

They both do and fire off lightning bolts. Almost to the mansion a dome appears over it and the bolts just dissipate. Peter and Ken are both looking at their hand and ask “What just happened?”

“You both just cast your first magic. The thing is that the mansion, my castle, is protected. Many have tried to breach my defenses and failed. I mentally adjusted it to absorb your bolts but normally, it will redirect it back to the source. Those who have tried really only commit a version of suicide.”

I turn to my children “Let’s go home. I’m sure that your mothers are getting mad at me for being gone so long.”