Dinner was served, and the king and his attendants waited patiently as the maids left the room. Ki, Zephyr, and Septh observed quietly, the atmosphere tense.
The king began, cutting a piece of steak. "Before we start, I want to know where you are from. Your clothes and manner of speaking suggest you are not from here."
Zephyr smirked. "We're from Earth."
Septh shot him a worried glance, fearing the joke might offend, while Ki quietly prodded at his food.
The king raised an eyebrow. "Earth? I don't recall a kingdom by that name. A village, perhaps? Or… another world?"
Ki's eyes lifted from his plate, calm but alert. "You know something, don't you?"
The king nodded slowly, chewing before he spoke. "There have been cases... rare, but documented... of people claiming to come from other worlds. At first, we dismissed it. But over time, the phenomenon became undeniable. Some even faked it, trying to appear as one of these 'other-worlders.'"
"Why?" Septh asked, leaning forward.
"Because these individuals possess extraordinary skills. They surpass our best fighters, our scholars, our strategists... physically, mentally, and magically. They are… chosen, in a sense."
Ki's gaze narrowed. "So that's why you treat us differently, even though we're strangers?"
The king met his stare. "Partially. We want to keep you safe, yes... but also to prevent other rulers from exploiting you as weapons. Centuries ago, kingdoms experimented with other-worlders, seeking to create personal armies. The process was brutal. Innocent lives were sacrificed. Only a fraction of those 'summons' survived, trained into elite soldiers. The rest… were discarded. They became puppets, bound to serve without question."
Zephyr's stomach tightened at the words. "Then… why didn't the summons resist?"
"The ceremony erased their memories," the king explained. "They forgot who they were, and were trained to fight unquestioningly. This method was used for generations until a ceasefire ended the practice. Those who knew the procedure were executed, and the records destroyed. It was… necessary, to prevent further abuse."
Zephyr swallowed hard. "And us… if we were captured?"
"You could be used, or worse, killed," the king replied, his tone grave.
Ki's gaze hardened. "Then what exactly do you want from us?"
The king's expression softened slightly, a faint smile forming. "We wish to help you master your abilities. In return, we ask your aid in defending our kingdom. Your talents could turn the tide in our favor. We offer training, protection, and the chance to reach your full potential... but loyalty must be earned, not demanded."
Ki, Zephyr, and Septh exchanged glances. The weight of the king's words settled on them. Accepting meant changing their lives forever... but it also offered a path to control their powers and perhaps find a way home.
Ki spoke at last, steady and measured. "We will consider your offer. But we will decide in our own time."
The king inclined his head. "Take the time you need. Should you choose to join us, know that you will be welcomed as allies... and friends."