Jay remained standing before the throne, his gaze calm but firm. The throne room seemed quieter than ever, as if even the torches were holding their breath.
"Dimensional portals are not simple cracks in space… they are doors that connect our world with other universes." Jay paused briefly, choosing his words carefully. "In eleven years, the forces of Earth will be completely decimated by entities that go beyond any human comprehension, my king."
He scratched the back of his neck thoughtfully and continued:
"Those entities used the portals to sow chaos. But they didn't stop there. They took the Awakened as avatars, turned them into puppets, and finally remade Earth in their own image."
Humanity was enslaved. The portals became arenas of entertainment, where they forced Awakened humans to fight horrors from other worlds. Those who lost… were punished in the cruelest way imaginable.
Jay clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white at the memory.
King Frederic Von Lumig frowned, clearly confused, and leaned slightly forward on his imposing bronze throne.
"Awakened?" he asked.
"Yes," Jay replied calmly. "If you check the news or what you call the 'Internet,' you'll see that people all over the world have begun to awaken extraordinary abilities.
Those individuals are known as 'Players' or 'Awakened.'"
Jay placed his right hand over his chest and bowed with genuine respect, his voice firm and devoted:
"What we need is to close those portals with the help of the Awakened. That is why, Your Majesty, I ask for your permission to help you protect the Kingdom and the people of this world from the threats that are coming."
The two knights flanking the throne visibly reacted with surprise. Their rigid, watchful expressions transformed into smiles of approval. One of them even nodded slightly, as if the young man had earned their respect with a single gesture.
King Frederic Von Lumig remained silent for a few seconds, observing Jay with intensity. Then, slowly, he smiled.
"Very well. I, Frederic Von Lumig, by royal decree, order that everyone follow the instructions of the Stellar Knight, Jay Sullivan, and assist him in protecting the kingdom and the entire world."
The king's words echoed with absolute authority throughout the vast throne room. The two knights immediately stood at attention and struck the floor with the butts of their spears in a martial gesture of acceptance.
Jay looked up, surprised by how quickly the decision had been made. He hadn't expected the sovereign to accept so soon and with such firmness. For a moment, his gray eyes shone with a flash of gratitude and renewed determination.
"Your Majesty…" he began.
But Frederic raised a hand, gently interrupting him.
"There's no time for unnecessary thanks, Stellar Knight. If what you say is true, every minute counts." The king stood up; his deep blue tunic fell elegantly around him. "From this moment on, you will have full access to all the kingdom's resources: information, troops, scientists, and anything else you need to close those portals."
Frederic Von Lumig descended one step and looked him directly in the eyes.
"Protect my people, Jay Sullivan. And protect my daughter Aurora especially. That is the true price of my trust."
Jay bowed his head with deep respect.
"I will do so, Your Majesty. I swear it on my life and on the light of the stars that guide me."
The king nodded, satisfied, and sat back down on his bronze throne. The atmosphere in the room had completely changed: from contained tension to a shared purpose.
…
In his original timeline, the vast majority of the nobles had been little more than loyal dogs to the gods. They had sacrificed thousands of innocents for ambition and power. That was why Jay didn't trust the nobility easily.
However, King Frederic Von Lumig had proven to be different. He showed humility and, without hesitation, offered his full support. That was something rare… and valuable.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Jay said, completing a deep bow.
[Congratulations! You have completed your first side mission. Do you wish to receive your rewards now?]
The mechanical, clear voice of the System echoed in Jay's mind… and, apparently, throughout the entire room as well.
The king blinked, surprised.
"What is that floating screen?" he asked.
"It's the System, Your Majesty," Jay replied naturally. "It's an entity that regulates all aspects related to the incursions. Every time we enter a portal and complete a mission, it will reward us. But if we fail… we will be penalized in the worst way possible."
"Hm… I see," the king murmured thoughtfully.
"Gabriela," Frederic ordered then, "accompany the Stellar Knight Sullivan and obey his every command."
The knight who had escorted Jay to the palace, along with the two robust men, stepped forward and bowed her head.
"Yes, my king!"
"May the goddess bless you all," Jay murmured softly.
…
As they left the throne room, Gabriela handed Jay something: a sleek, modern-looking black tablet.
"What is this?" he asked.
"A list of the people who have awakened special powers, just as you stated," Gabriela replied efficiently.
Jay took the tablet and looked at it in disbelief. Not even ten minutes had passed since they had left the royal chamber.
"They already had this prepared…?"
He let out a brief sigh.
"Alright," he said finally, as he began reviewing the names and profiles of the candidates on the screen.
…
The next morning…
On the outskirts of the city of Tunja, in a huge warehouse converted into an operations center, Jay had gathered the vast majority of the Awakened candidates.
The place was filled with nervous and expectant murmurs. Dozens of young men and women of various ages spoke in low voices—some with fear, others with curiosity, and a few with obvious distrust.
Jay stepped firmly onto the improvised podium in the center of the warehouse.
He was wearing a light semi-armor of elegant and functional design, specially created by the kingdom's best scientists in just a few hours. The dark silver metallic plates fit his body perfectly, combined with a black tactical suit that gave him an imposing appearance. He looked like a true modern knight: young, yet carrying the presence of someone who had already seen too much.
In the crowd, two girls standing near the front whispered to each other.
"Hey, Buffy… isn't that the guy who saved us the other day at the shopping center?" asked Diana, her eyes wide.
"Yeah…" replied Buffy, biting her lip slightly. "I hadn't noticed how handsome he was."
Tap! Tap!
Jay clapped his hands twice, loud and clear, to get everyone's attention. The murmurs gradually died down until silence spread throughout the warehouse. All eyes turned to him.
"Many of you were selected because you awakened special abilities," Jay began in a clear, firm voice that echoed through the large space. "I know some of you lost a loved one during the monster invasions that have struck different parts of the kingdom."
A heavy silence fell over the crowd. Many heads bowed. Some clenched their fists tightly, others bit their lips to hold back tears.
Ñ The pain was still recent and visible.
Jay paused briefly, placed his left hand over his chest, and leaned forward slightly in a gesture of sincere respect.
"I am deeply sorry I wasn't there to save more people."
Several people in the audience looked up, surprised. They hadn't expected someone with his power to apologize in that way.
Jay straightened again, and his expression became solemn and determined.
"I solemnly swear that I will put an end to this invasion and to those who caused it. That is why… I ask you to lend me your strength.
Together, we will finish these monsters once and for all."
With a fluid motion, Jay drew a gleaming silver-bladed sword that shone under the warehouse lights. He raised it decisively toward the ceiling.
For a second, the silence was absolute.
Then, like a growing wave, the crowd began to react.
First one, then several, and finally almost everyone raised their fists or their makeshift weapons.
"Kill the monsters!" someone shouted.
"Kill the monsters!" another repeated.
Soon the cry became a powerful, unanimous chorus that reverberated off the warehouse walls:
"Kill the monsters!"
"Kill the monsters!"
"Kill the monsters!"
The energy in the place had completely changed. What had once been fear and confusion now transformed into determination and contained fury. Jay remained standing on the podium, sword still raised, watching as the crowd responded to his call.
Deep inside, however, Jay knew the truth.
This was only the first spark.
The real war had yet to begin.