The shining golden light of Sarah's sword pushes back the darkness and slices cleanly through the charging monster's leg, sending it crashing to the ground.

Makes sense, heroes usually only show up at the last second to make their saves. I nod to myself; my reasoning is sound.

The Hero leaps onto the monster's back, stabbing down into the mess of twisted metal, breaking pieces off and spilling its thick, black, oily blood. The Klaxon goes up in pitch as the creature thrashes around, forcing Sarah to leap back to the ground. She lands cleanly, easily transferring her momentum into another attack that severs an arm, before running in close and shoving her blade up through the monstrosities neck. "Eat it!!!" She screams. A blinding flash forces me to look away, and when I look back, the thing lays dead, just a pile of broken metal.

Taking a few heaving breaths, Sarah sheathes her sword and jogs over to me, kneeling down and checking me over for injuries, "Are you okay?" She asks, a slight manic edge to her voice.

"Mmm." I nod.

She lets out a relieved breath, scooping me up and setting me back down on my feet after a quick hug. "That was close." She looks around, "No Enna? Hollis? Have you seen Josh?"

"No, sorry."

"It's fine. I'm just glad I found you. What the hell kind of nightmare world is this, anyway? It's gotta have something to do with whatever is pulling Josh's strings, right?" Sarah pulls in a few more deep breaths, her breathing finally evening out.

"Probably." I agree, "That was really scary, thanks Sarah." I go in for a second hug, burying my face in Sarah's chest.

Sarah wraps her arms around me and hugs me tight, "Don't worry, we're good. I got you." She soothes me for a while. Eventually we part and she leads me over to a car, lifting me up and sitting me down on the hood. "I'm not just trying to comfort you, I actually do think I got this. I got a vision from that Golden Goddess when the crack happened. Basically, she is pretty pissed at whatever is controlling Josh. Something about it being unholy and I am to be her champion to drive the corruption from the land."

The Hero leans against the car, "So, this might be some kind of predetermined god bullshit. Like, I was always supposed to be here or something. I dunno, that's the feeling I got anyway."

I put a hand on Sarah's arm, "Are you okay? I wouldn't want to be jerked around by a god."

Sarah shrugs and gives me a crooked smile, "I wanted to help Josh, it's not like I'm doing it just because the Goddess told me to."

I look down and kick my legs a little, "Enna did say that gods usually choose champions whose interests align with their own."

"Yeah," Sarah runs a hand through her long hair, stopping to hold a strand in front of her face, "Maybe I should cut this, it could get in the way during battle." She drops the strand and continues, "The Golden Goddess doesn't seem that bad, I'm willing to work with her. Especially if she helps us get out of here, I feel stronger somehow, like she is giving me a boost."

"Really?" My eyebrows shoot up, "Because it feels like I'm weaker here, it's a lot harder to summon vess."

"Huh." Sarah looks concerned, but quickly replaces the look with an easy smile, "Well, not like you're much good in a fight anyway."

I stick my tongue out at her, eliciting a giggle from the Hero.

Swinging my legs, I look around at the dilapidated buildings as a comfortable silence settles between us. Everything is going to be okay, Sarah has always been reliable, and if she has a goddess on her side, even better.

"Hey, wanna see something weird?" Sarah pulls out her phone and holds it up so I can see the screen. When she pushes the button, the screen actually powers on, showing a lock screen of three girls hugging. One of them is obviously Sarah, but I have no idea who the other two are. The Hero unlocks her phone and makes a few taps before showing me a weird, glitchy version of some kind of map program. It shows an overhead view of our location with a bright shining arrow pointing down the street.

"It's how I found you." She explains, "I think it's probably the Golden Goddess messing with my phone, really weird way to offer me guidance, right?"

"Yeah. I guess it sure is…" I search for the right word, "Thematic?"

Sarah laughs, "For sure. Hey! While we have the opportunity, let's get a pic." She opens the camera and holds up the phone before smiling and throwing a peace sign.

The view in the camera is really surreal. Sarah leans next to me, wearing a few pieces of scratched plate armor with a sword sheathed at her hip, posing like any normal girl, maybe someone cosplaying. Next to her is me. I've seen myself in the mirror plenty of times, but something in my brain is refusing to accept what I see in the context of a phone camera. Sitting on the hood of the car is a girl with glowing red eyes, horns, and chitinous claws on her feet and hands. A long slender tail slaps the hood of the car in agitation, while the expression on the girl's face slowly turns more and more upset.

The phone is lowered, and Sarah's worried face replaces it, "Hey, you okay Ren?"

I shake my head, trying to dispel the few pricks of wetness that have appeared in the corners of my eyes. Reaching down, I hold my tail still to stop the annoying thumping on the hood of the car. "Um," My voice is shaky, and I clear my throat before continuing, "I'm okay. Can we try again?"

"Sure…" Sarah doesn't sound convinced but holds the phone up and retakes her pose again. This time I curl my tail around my friend, leaning into her and smile at the camera.

"Cute!" Sarah laughs as she shows me the picture, "This is good to have, if we ever get back to Earth, we'll need proof to show we aren't bullshitting."

"Aren't I proof enough?" I giggle, wiping the lingering moisture out of my eyes.

"You are." My human friend says carefully, "Is that good?"

I shrug, "Yeah, I mean, I don't even remember what I used to look like. I like the way I look now, I'm cute. It was just really weird to see myself like that, I guess."

Sarah hugs me and kisses me on the head, "You are cute, and I'll fight anyone who says otherwise."

A smile spreads across my face, "You're really nice, Sarah. The world is lucky to have a hero like you running around in it. Power in the right hands, I'd say! Not like me."

"Not like you?" Asks Sarah.

"Power in lazy hands." I grin back, getting a laugh from the human.

"True enough. But don't think I forgot about your world conquering tendencies though." Sarah smiles and wags her finger at me.

I cross my arms and try to put on an offended face, "I've been good! I haven't even tried to take over Tarenbaum yet!"

"Yet, she says." Sarah grins, "Honestly, it might be better off if you take it over. First the slavery, now whatever this is." She motions around us. "Pretty sure that whatever is going on here is affecting a lot of people in the north. Just think about it, the winters are getting worse, strong monsters are coming south, strange magic controlling people, sounds like an evil god-like being if I ever heard one."

I roll my eyes, "You played too many video games."

"Maybe," She easily agrees with a smile, "But it seems like it could all be related, right? Like it's more likely than not!"

"Couldn't you ask your goddess?" I can't keep the cheek out of my voice.

Sarah takes a turn rolling her eyes, "Not really how it works, not that you would get it. Jealous?" She draws the last word out playfully.

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"No!" I punch her on the arm. I don't even have to hold back or worry about doing it too hard.

Sarah pushes herself off the car before turning to grab me under the armpits, lifting me up and setting me back down on my feet, "Well, we know where we need to go, so we'd better get a move on. Can't stay here forever, got evil to vanquish and crap." She ends with a wink.

I roll my eyes but dutifully follow Sarah as she leads the way down the ruined street.

We walk one whole block before we are interrupted by another one of those giant metal monsters. "Hide here." Sarah pushes me down behind a car husk and charges out to meet her foe, sword shining in her hand.

The metal giant swipes at the Hero, only for her to leap over the clumsy attack, planting her sword directly into the monster's head. A few moments later and the enemy is defeated; Sarah sheathes her sword and runs back to get me. We walk another block, only for the scenario to repeat itself. The next block switches things up by making the Hero fight two, but she wins all the same. Our pace is glacial as we constantly have to stop for Sarah to fight. At least the xp seems to be boosted too, as Sarah gets a level up pretty quickly.

The dead city does switch things up here and there. Instead of giant metal monsters, occasionally a nearby building will vomit a wave of those weird ape creatures at the Hero. Those are fun to watch, Sarah doesn't even use her sword, killing the things in a single punch. She just throws herself into the wave of monsters, whooping and flailing her limbs in the mosh pit of bodies until she is the last one standing.

Whatever is controlling this place is forced to get more creative, the ground splits open, an endless chasm opens beneath our feet, buildings crack and crumble, falling down to crush us beneath mountains of steel and concrete, the sky rains broken glass. Sarah is forced to scoop me up and run. Her body is infused with a golden aura as she dodges falling debris and outruns the widening pit that is consuming the street. Whatever she can't dodge she destroys with a swing from her sword. Honestly, it's terrifying and I bury my face in her neck, scrunching my eyes shut as I wait for it to be over.

Sarah sets me down on solid ground, sets her back to a nearby wall, and slides down to sit on the ground. Hanging her head, she takes great heaving breaths. "Holy. Shit. This place really wants us dead." She pants.

I kneel in front of her, hugging my knees, "You okay?"

"Yeah." She gasps, "Just, gimmie a sec."

"You're doing great, very heroic." I give her a thumbs up.

"Shut up." She laughs, leaning back and covering her eyes with her arm, "Ugh, starting to regret this whole being chosen by a goddess thing."

"Looks rough." I rest my head on my knees, "I have good news though, Hollis is nearby."

"I would prefer Enna, but I'll take what I can get." Sarah gets her breath back and pushes her way back up the wall. Upon seeing my frown, Sarah rectifies her statement, "I mean, I love Hollis, they are super cute, but Enna would be more helpful with all the fighting we are doing. Plus, now I'm going to have to look after two cutiepies."

"Hollis can take care of themself." I defend my new summon, "And they are very strong in a fight! You just haven't seen them with full mana yet."

"It's more than just fighting, honey." Sarah ruffles my hair and ignores my pout, "Enna has more of a, let's say, extroverted personality. She will take charge of a situation and help take some of the pressure off me. Don't worry about it."

I cross my arms and refuse to relent on my pouting, "I understand, stupid top."

Sarah bumps me with her hip, sending me stumbling, "Bottom problems, huh?"

I glare at Sarah, while she just seems to ignore me and continues walking. My glare seems to just bounce right off her back, some kind of shield, totally unfair, I should have walked away first. With no other choice, I have to concede defeat and run after her.

At least the city has quieted down. We walk in relative peace for several blocks until a new problem makes itself known, my weak legs. Sarah just laughs and kneels down so I can climb onto her back, the Hero easily giving me a piggyback for many more blocks. I idly watch the buildings slowly pass by. What made this place, and what is the point? Clearly whatever is controlling Josh made this place. As for why they did it? Maybe they couldn't kill us in the real world, so they had to draw us into their personal world where they are stronger. Nah, too anime. Maybe they are trying to trap us here? No. If they work off of the same rules as everyone else, they must have something like a class. So, their class must revolve around this world or around illusions or something.

The ideas continue to spin in my head, but nothing really makes sense. I guess we will find out eventually whenever Sarah kicks the ass of whatever trapped us here. Actually, Hollis will probably know better. Reaching out with my senses, the fluffy vess is still far away, but is getting closer much faster than the speed Sarah is walking would suggest. They must be coming to me.

Letting my eyes drift shut, I settle in for a little nap. Not like I have anything better to do.

The sound of voices wakes me up. Blearily I open my eyes to see the short vess standing in front of Sarah, bowing repeatedly and thanking her profusely.

I wiggle down from Sarah's back and run around her to hug my vess, "Hollis!"

Hollis returns my hug, "I am so glad to have found you, my lady. I was so worried!"

My Magi steps back and wipes a few tears out of their eyes. They look me up and down before waving their hand and a wave of magic washes over me, leaving me feeling clean and refreshed. Huh, I didn't even realize I was dirty.

Behind me, Sarah clears her throat. I turn around and take in her dusty appearance, stained black by the thick, oily blood that the creatures here bleed. A follow up wave of magic washes that all away, leaving her looking very relieved.

"Hollis," I address my summon, "Do you know where we are?"

Hollis looks uncomfortable, "Um, well. That's a complicated question. Really, we are still at the lake."

"Seriously?" Sarah looks up from her phone briefly before continuing to check her maps.

"Yes." Hollis confirms, "A rift was opened, and we were sent into a void that exists behind the lake, so to speak. I'm sure you've already figured out that the same person who is in control of the human did this. The level of power something like this requires pretty much rules out elves, by the way. Unless it is an elf that has been alive for hundreds of thousands of years, which seems very unlikely. I think our culprit is a dragon."

"Or a god." Sarah mutters.

"Also possible." The Magi admits. "I only would assume a dragon before a god because it's marginally more likely. There are few dragons left, and all of them are ancient and reclusive. They haven't interacted with the world for a long time, but they do interact with us more than gods."

"Hey, fluffball. Why do gods seem to be so interested in us otherworlders?" Sarah pockets her phone and begins to lead us through the city.

Hollis blushes at the nickname, but answers anyway, "I don't know. What I do know is that you and our fair lady are both from Earth. Both of you possess a higher than average level of power, significantly higher than most people. You are both also from outside the existing power structure, no real alliances or prior ties."

A flood of apes bursts out from a sewer grate and begins spilling onto the street. Sarah groans and starts to draw her sword, only for Hollis to shoot a bolt of lighting into the growing crowd. The bolt jumps from one screaming ape to the next, frying them one after the other until the whole group is just a smoking heap of bodies.

Hollis just continues on talking as if nothing happened, "Powerful individuals, without any bonds, in a strange new world and in need of guidance. It would be very easy to take these people under your wing and influence them into seeing things your way, into doing your bidding. Why indeed would a god be interested in otherworlders? It's partly why our fair lady took interest in you, Sarah."

"Hollis! That's not why I like Sarah!"

Sarah looks back at me, an easy smile on her face and waves her hand, "Easy, Ren. It's okay, I think I understand what Hollis means. Plus, I know you can't help your instincts."

"Um, sorry." Hollis sheepishly apologizes and rubs their hands together, "I got kind of caught up in the lecture, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Sarah."

"Forget it." Sarah waves them off. "You sure seem a lot more thoughtful than Enna, why is that? I sort of thought the vess was like a hive mind or something."

"An easy mistake to make." The Magi nods understandingly, "We are more of a shared consciousness where most of our members lack a sense of self. Only a select few are worthy enough to receive such a blessing from our fair lady. Caretaker Enna can be thoughtful, she just chooses not to be, instead focusing on other things that are more relevant to her duties."

Sarah peeks back at the fluffy vess, "Right, Enna only really cares about Ren's wellbeing. Most of her actions reflect that, she usually only ever goes out of her way to do something if it benefits Ren. I always thought it was strange how much she offered to help me, mostly I thought it was Ren ordering her to do it."

"Yup!" Hollis agrees cheerily, "That sounds like Caretaker Enna. She likely helped you, knowing that in the future you would help her majesty. The Caretaker does often scheme like that."

"So, what's your deal then?" Sarah casually throws the question over her shoulder.

Hollis furrows their eyebrows, "My deal?"

"Yeah! Enna looks after Ren. What do you do?"

The Magi nervously glances at me for a moment, fidgeting with their dress before answering, "The vess, overall, lacks magical ability. I provide magical ability."

"And?" Sarah draws out the word, as if she is expecting a certain answer.

"Um, Sarah, I-I'm afraid I don't know what you want me to say." The vess stutters, "I suppose I offer my knowledge and counsel too?"

"Hmmm." Sarah doesn't sound convinced. At all. "Then why are you so cute?"

"I'm sorry?" The poor vess' voice goes up a pitch and they stumble for a second.

The ground shakes, the buildings groan and pieces of metal break off and fall crashing to the ground. The cars around us begin to shake, streetlights flicker and go out before falling to the concrete. I'm afraid the world is going to start collapsing around us again when all the shaking suddenly stops.

A block away, around the corner of a building steps a giant foot of metal. A second foot follows it, bringing into view a body five stories tall.

"Here we go." Sarah draws her sword while Hollis steps up beside her, looking up at the giant.

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