Fifteen years ago, the world as humanity knew it changed forever.
It happened without warning—a global event that defied all scientific explanation. Millions of people across the planet vanished in an instant, only for a small fraction of them to return weeks later. These survivors came back... different. Changed. Each bore incredible tales of journeys through strange realms beyond our reality and, more importantly, returned wielding abilities that could only be described as magical.
Society named these altered humans "the Chosen."
Not long after their return, the first Gate appeared—a tear in the fabric of reality that allowed grotesque creatures from some dark dimension to pour through. These nightmarish beings seemed driven by a singular purpose: to destroy and corrupt everything in their path. Had it not been for the Chosen and their newfound powers, humanity might have perished that day.
Since then more and more people were Chosen and developed realm cores, and gates would randomly appear across the world. Each time, the Chosen would mobilize to battle back the monstrous hordes until, for reasons unknown, the Gates would eventually close on their own.
Over the fifteen years that followed, the Chosen established themselves as humanity's protectors. They formed organizations, made incredible discoveries about their powers, and attained heights of ability that normal humans could scarcely comprehend. The development of a "Realm Core"—the source of their power—became the most coveted and revered achievement possible.
Yet for all their glory, becoming Chosen remained exceedingly rare. Out of approximately seven billion people on Earth, only around 100,000 people possessed Realm Cores. The selection process—if there even was one—remained a complete mystery.
Arthur had never been particularly interested in the Chosen or their affairs so he didn't know too terribly much about them but what he did know was that they were exceedingly rare.
Sitting in the hospital bed with a stupid look on his face Arthur spoke.
"Excuse me?" Arthur stared at Nurse Alicia, certain he must have misheard her. The examination room suddenly felt too small, the fluorescent lights too bright.
Alicia Carson giggled at his bewilderment. Her blue scrubs rustled as she leaned forward on her rolling stool.
"Your Realm Core is still in the early stages of forming," she repeated, her voice carrying the casual tone of someone delivering ordinary news. "You probably still have two months until you get sent to the Second Realm, so don't start freaking out just yet." Her smile widened. "But either way, I suppose a congratulation is in order. You are soon to become one of the mighty and cherished heroes of the human race, Arthur. Feel proud!"
Her eyes squinted expectantly, waiting for Arthur to say something—anything—in response. But Arthur could only stare blankly, so dumbfounded by what he was hearing that a small string of drool escaped the corner of his mouth. His brain tried to process the information, but the words kept bouncing around his skull without connecting.
"Arthur?" Alicia's expression shifted from joy to concern, her eyebrows drawing together.
Arthur snapped back to reality, suddenly aware of his embarrassing state. He quickly wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and focused on the nurse's face.
"Yeah, um, sorry," he stammered, "you must be mistaken or something."
Alicia's reassuring smile returned. "Ah, there is no mistake, Arthur, I promise you. In give or take two months' time, you'll be a full-fledged Chosen."
And just like that, Arthur was back to staring blankly, his mind erupting with chaotic thoughts.
'Me? Chosen? There's no way! Why would I be chosen? I'm a weak coward with no drive and a distaste for humanity—and more specifically, the Chosen themselves! This can't be right...'
His frantic internal monologue was interrupted by Alicia's gentle voice.
"Here, why don't you try to feel your core?" she suggested, her tone patient and encouraging.
Arthur furrowed his eyebrows and looked at her in confusion. "How would I do that?"
She giggled softly. "Simply close your eyes and focus on your breathing."
Reluctantly, Arthur did as she instructed, letting his eyelids fall shut. The sounds of the hospital—distant conversations, the hum of equipment, the occasional announcement over the PA system—seemed to fade into the background.
"Now clear your mind of any unnecessary clutter," Alicia continued.
'Easier said than done,' lady, Arthur thought, but he tried his best nonetheless, pushing away thoughts of school, his mediocre social life, and the absurdity of this situation.
"Now envision the core in your chest, and when you feel something there reaching out... reach back."
Arthur nearly opened his eyes right then and there. 'How can a Realm Core reach out?' But he didn't pay the specifics much thought and just tried his best to follow her instructions.
After a few moments of nothing but darkness and the sound of his own breathing, he was about to give up when suddenly... he felt it.
A peculiar sensation bloomed in his chest—not physical, yet more real than anything he'd ever experienced. An image formed in his mind's eye: a glowing, multi-colored orb, shattered into pieces that were slowly, almost imperceptibly, drifting together. Forming his core.
Arthur's eyes flew open in shock, his heart hammering against his ribs. He stared ahead, unseeing, as the revelation crashed over him in waves.
"Arthur?" Alicia asked, concern evident in her voice as she tilted her head to the side.
But he offered no response. In fact, he didn't even hear her.
'Holy crap. Holy crap. HOLY CRAP!' His mind was a chaotic whirlwind. 'I'm Chosen? Why me? How? And most importantly, why now? Why not before...?'
He cut off his thoughts before they wandered into dangerous territory, shaking his head to recenter himself. It was then that he finally heard Alicia's voice penetrating his mental fog.
"Helloooo? Arthur?" She had leaned close, waving her hand in front of his face.
"Ahh!" Arthur yelped and lunged backward before realizing it was just the nurse. "Oh, sorry, I, uh, zoned out."
She smiled patiently and sat back on her stool. "That's okay... so did you feel it?"
Arthur sat up straight, still processing what had just happened. "Y-yeah, I did," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Alicia nodded, satisfied. "Perfect. Now that that's all settled, it's time we move on to the next step."
Arthur looked at her with confusion clouding his features. "Next step?"