There was a giant portal in the sky.
Spaceships poured through, raining scorching laser beams onto the earth below. Armies of androids marched with perfect formation, their futuristic guns firing at anything that moved.
"Help! My baby!"
A woman screamed as a concrete wall crumbled above her. I sprinted forward—but before I could reach her, a man in a blue, red, and white uniform swooped in, shield gleaming as he pulled her and the child to safety.
He was as handsome as the blue sky, muscles rippling under his uniform.
"You there! Will you help us protect these civilians?" he shouted, turning to me.
"Captain America?!" I blurted.
"The one and only." He flashed a dazzling grin. "I need your help to stop this alien invasion. What's your name, soldier?"
"John Delinger, sir!" I snapped to attention.
"Good. Let's march!"
Together, we tore through the aliens. I must've destroyed a dozen ships myself. Spider-Man swung by overhead, Iron Man blasted the skies, Hulk was smashing—basically everything you'd expect. When the invasion finally fell, the crowd roared.
"Thank you, Avengers!" a man in a business suit said, stepping forward. "Here—three billion dollars for saving the world."
"Thank you, kind billionaire," Captain America said, shaking his hand. "And who might you be?"
"I'm Bruce Wayne. I'm here to welcome you to the Justice League."
Wait. That's DC—
I woke up.
The smell of coffee hit first. Julius' coffee. Strong, bitter, and somehow smug.
"Morning, John," said Sophronia, one of the researchers, handing me a cup. "You look less dead today."
"Good morning to you too. Where's everyone?"
I reached for the cup—then remembered. Still missing an arm. I took it with my left instead.
"Busy," she said, settling at the edge of the bed like someone who'd been running on caffeine for days. "After all your world-ending revelations, they've been working nonstop." She took a sip. "Three days, by the way. You've been out cold the whole time."
"Three days, huh? Been a while since I've slept that long."
She quirked a brow. "First time I've seen anyone sleep that long and wake up looking functional. I was betting you'd need reviving." She smiled faintly.
The sunlight caught her hair, turning her curls into a halo of copper fire. I caught myself staring. Shook my head. Nope. Not going down that road. I already have a girlfriend.
"You alright?" she asked, concern in her voice.
"Yeah. Just groggy from all the sleep." I smiled back.
She tilted her head, studying me like a specimen. "Good. Julius said to bring you to the lab as soon as you're human again."
"Alright."
Once she left, I took a deep breath. "Alright, John. Time to save the world."
First order of business—shower. I smelled terrible. A month in the Wildlands, three days in bed... I'd smelled like dog piss and old despair. The cold water jolted me awake, washing away fatigue and lingering dread.
Feeling like a new man, I headed for Julius' lab.
Inside, Elric, Marvin, Sophronia, and Areva were working nonstop. The place was packed with notes, diagrams, and samples. Chompworm minerals glittered in containment jars while strange chemicals hissed in glass tubes.
Julius had his own corner—a wall of elegant chaos, covered in scribbled runes and precise equations. At the center, a massive rune spiraled and zigzagged like a living storm.
I walked over. "Is this it?"
He took a sip of coffee. I mirrored him.
"Yes," he said. "It's in progress. Implementation's been tricky."
"Looks more complicated than the others."
"Expect it to get worse."
I glanced around. "I don't remember the lab being this big."
"There was no lab here."
I blinked. "You built this whole thing in three days?"
"Yes."
"It's my house."
He gave me a deadpan stare, offering no further comment. I sighed. "Alright. Anything I can do for you?"
"No. But I can do something for you."
He turned to one of my cabinets—well, apparently now his cabinet—and pulled out a large bag filled with a gray, clay-like substance. I immediately recognized it.
"Ah. Nostria."
"Exactly." He glanced over. "Lay down on the table. Marvin, I'll need your help."
Areva perked up from her seat. "Is that Nostria? That's so much! You only need a kilo to regrow a whole arm, right? How'd you even get that much?"
Marvin adjusted his glasses as he joined Julius. "John's a big guy. And for some reason, he needs ten times the usual amount. We think it's something to do with his physique."
Areva's eyes widened. "You could buy a city with that much Nostria! And where'd you even get it? You can't just buy that stuff—it's always in demand."
Julius and Marvin began molding the Nostria into the rough shape of my arm, both of them sweating under the effort. Julius spoke mid-work.
"John's done a lot of good over the years. Plenty of powerful people owe him favors. And the rare materials he brings in—no one else can get them. Why do you think Alimony and the other cities tolerate his presence, even with that aura of his disturbing the locals? Nostria's precious, yes, but what John delivers is equally—if not more—valuable."
Areva nodded slowly. "I always wondered what happened to all the excess materials you brought in."
"Where would we even hide it?" I said, chuckling. "Better to let the public use it."
"Speaking of which," I added, "what happened to the Spiderchonks?"
Julius didn't even look up. "We are not calling them that."
"They're still in containment outside the city," he said flatly. "We've been observing. They're breeding, but their growth has plateaued. Turns out, their exponential evolution doesn't go on forever."
"It's been months," I pressed. "You're telling me you still haven't come up with a better name?"
"We're tentatively calling it Arachnoformis Alimonia," Julius said.
"But that's so boring. Besides, I caught it. Don't I get a say in the name?"
Julius rolled his eyes. "You do. That's the only reason the name hasn't been finalized. If you can come up with something halfway decent, I'll vouch for it."
I rubbed my chin, pretending to think deeply. "Spidertings?"
"No."
"No."
Both Julius and Areva shot me down instantly.
I pouted at them like a scolded child, but neither flinched. Tough crowd.
"Alright, we're done here," Julius muttered, patting the Nostria one last time. The living substance had reshaped itself into the form of an arm—my arm—only ten times larger. It looked like something a giant had misplaced.
"That's really… so much Nostria," Areva whispered in awe. "I can't believe there's this much available."
Couldn't blame her. The amount we had could've saved hundreds. Instead, it was going to regrow my arm.
"John," Julius said, voice grave. "I need to reopen your stump. It's going to hurt."
"Pain's been like a brother to me, Julius."
He grunted—a mix between disapproval and amusement—then brought out his scalpel. A thin line of flesh parted under the blade, and blood poured freely from my shoulder, hot and relentless.
"Alright. Attach the Nostria."
With a grunt, he and Marvin lifted the Nostria and pressed it against my arm. The material pulsed—alive—and greedily drank in the blood, fusing itself to me.
Julius raised his staff. The runes along its length flared to life, pulsing in rhythm with my heartbeat. His voice rang out clear and deliberate:
"Flesh to form, blood to bind,
Stone to sinew, life aligned."
Light spilled from the staff, wrapping my arm in ribbons of gold and crimson. The Nostria shuddered, then began to shift—melting, hardening, reshaping—until it pulsed in perfect sync with my heart. Gray clay rippled as my blood seeped through, turning crimson veins that spread like wildfire. From dull matter to living flesh.
The pain of nerves rebuilding was familiar, but never easy. Most people could not even imagine it. Nostria was rare—not just because it was scarce, but because it was deliberately hidden from the public. To legally obtain it, one had to pass a gauntlet of tests, reviewed by a board of doctors who judged whether you were "worthy."
Could you survive the pain?
Could you still contribute afterward?
Were you young enough, strong enough, useful enough to justify the risk?
Many didn't survive. Some did, only to lose themselves entirely—left hollow, their minds burned out by agony.
I passed those tests once. Truth be told, the standards were lower during the war.
When the light faded and Julius's chanting ceased, my arm felt raw—but whole.
Julius lowered his staff, eyes sharp with study.
"Try moving it," he said.
I flexed my new fingers. They moved stiffly at first—mechanical, uncertain—before finding a smooth, natural rhythm.
"It will take a few weeks before it fully adapts and is as strong as the rest of your body." Julius said, wiping his brow. "Best not get into trouble before then."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Try not to do that again. Also, here." He threw me a letter with the kingdom's blue wax seal over it. I caught it with my newly rebuilt hand between my fingers.
"What's this?" I raised a brow.
"You're being invited to dinner."
"By who? Councilman Zezen?"
"Just open the damn letter."
I cracked the seal and unfolded the parchment. The scent of fine ink and lavender drifted up—definitely high-end stationery. The handwriting was elegant, each curve and line exuding patience and poise.
To John Delinger,
By the request of His Highness King Albrecht of the Viridian Kingdom, you are cordially invited to a private dinner on the eighteenth Bell, The thirteenth day of the month of Goldturn at The Azure Hearth, Alimony's Cleaton District.
His Majesty wishes to discuss recent events surrounding your return and matters of shared interest to the realm.
Formal conduct is expected. Your punctual attendance is appreciated.
— Chancellor Dorian Vex,
On behalf of His Majesty
I looked at the letter a few more times to make sure I understood everything. I spoke the language here well enough, but reading it still takes a while.
"It's his Highness Albrecht. He wants to have dinner."
"Why?"
"Just says, 'interests of the realm'. Quite vague. Although I think I have some idea of what he wants to talk about. The things we were doing for the past few months aren't subtle after all. On the bright side, we're eating at the Azure Hearth. Always a treat to eat there."
"You still have your formal wear?"
"I think so. It'll need cleaning though—it's been gathering dust." I frowned. "Speaking of food, where's Benjamin?"
"In the woods. This place is not nearly big enough for them. Although I heard he sent word for queries about the 'Travelers' you mentioned.
"Good. Let's hope he manages to keep it discrete. Say, what day is it today? I've lost track of time on account of me being in the woods."
"The thirteenth."
"Oh." I nodded. I widened my eyes. "Oh! That's today! Quick. What's the fastest laundry shop around here?"
"Laundry shop?" Areva asked.
"We don't have that here. That's only in the capital." Elric, the grumpy looking researcher helpfully added.
I quickly went to my wardrobe, checking the one formal wear I had. It was flowy, with black, purple and gold shades. It's impractical and I needed help to even put it on, but I have to admit, it looks great.
"Great. It's dusty. And smells… damp." I considered buying a new one, then remembered—nobody sells clothes my size ready-made.
"Need help?" a voice asked behind me.
"Oh hey, Sophronia. Yeah, I need this thing ready for tonight. Can't exactly meet the king looking like a swamp hermit."
"Oof, no kidding. How did it get that bad?"
I patted the robes. Dust exploded into the air. Cue coughing.
"When's the last time you even wore that thing?" she asked, waving a hand through the haze.
"More than a year ago?" I guessed.
"Figures. Well, good news—it doesn't have holes."
"There's the silver lining," I said dryly.
"Guess I'll just go in my normal clothes."
"You mean the lack thereof? You're one torn seam away from being indecent half the time."
"Not my fault monsters keep ruining them."
"Didn't say it was." She rolled her eyes and plucked the robes from my hands. "I'll handle this. A few spells should do. It won't smell like flowers, but it'll pass for clean. Might be a little wrinkly."
"Oh. Thanks—uh, thank you, Sophronia."
"Call me Soph. Everyone does." She gave me a light punch on the shoulder.
"Thanks, Soph." I smiled.
"Well, you better get out of here." She smiled back. I'm confused.
"Where? I don't have anything in my itinerary except that dinner."
"Anywhere but here. I'm gonna use spells for this. Not everyone is Julius you know? I can't use spells with you around."
"Oh." I raised my hands in surrender and backed toward the door. "Got it. The robes are yours. Don't blow up the lab."
"No promises." She grinned.
I left the cabin, but not without one last look — and a small wave — between us. She was… nice. I have to admit that much. Pleasant to work with, too.
Should I…?
No. I shook my head. Focus. Two impossible tasks ahead: saving the world, and somehow finding a way back to Earth.
Then again… it's been years. Is there even anything waiting for me there?
Best not to think about it. It's not about what's waiting — it's about me. About regrets. It's about what I know I should do and strive for. Because in the end, I'm an alien in this world.
I spent the rest of the day with Benjamin and the other drakenfolk, roughhousing like old times. We played, wrestled, and knocked down more trees than I cared to count. When evening came, it was time to say goodbye to each other. I'm off to Alimony, them to Drachenland.
"Goodbye, Ben. Thanks for saving me."
He snorted. "I only saved you from months of walking, not your life."
"Either way, thanks." I gave his snout a light punch. He rumbled a laugh, smoke curling from his nostrils.
"Ladies! Let's go!" he bellowed, his roar shaking the forest. His wings unfurled with a thunderous snap, sending gusts strong enough to topple trees. Across the woods, other roars answered.
Seven dragons rose from the forest, their scales flashing gold and crimson and green in the dying light.
Geghi swooped lowest, laughing as she passed. "See you later, John! I want crab next time!"
Ralkon, the old, stoic one, gave a deep rumble that felt like thunder rolling through the earth. "Try not to die before we meet again, human."
Igrath, ever the braggart, dipped his wings in a showy spiral. "You still owe me a rematch, little man!"
Vesha, calm and graceful, drifted by next. "May your sky be clear, and your fire never fade."
Zirra, the youngest, flapped excitedly. "I'll bring you a mountain next time! Or maybe two!"
Kareth, quiet and brooding, simply nodded as he passed, but his eyes burned with respect.
And Benjamin — the largest of them all — hovered last, his shadow swallowing the clearing. "Take care of yourself, John. Next time, I expect a feast waiting."
"Count on it."
He grinned, then with one powerful beat of his wings, he soared upward, joining the others.
The seven dragons climbed higher, their silhouettes cutting through the crimson sky. Their roars faded into echoes — wild, proud, and free — until all that remained was the whisper of wind and the scent of ash.
I slapped my face. Time to face the music. Literal music, in this case. The Azure Hearth I will be going to has live performers.