Prologue: "SHAZAM!"
Of all the perceivable realities, this place was certainly just one of the saddest. "The Magic of this world is dead, boy," I remarked as the blonde youth in front of me showed a look of confusion. This boy was none other than Greg Veder of Brockton, the person I've chosen to champion this world.
Greg scratched his head, eyes darting around the desolate landscape. "Magic? What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tinged with skepticism. But there was a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes, a spark that I hoped to ignite into something greater. "Just so you know, this is kidnapping… And, can I have your autograph?"
I gestured toward the barren trees and the colorless sky. "Once, this land was teeming with life and enchantment like the many others," I explained, my voice heavy with nostalgia. "But now, it's as if the very essence of magic has been drained from it— no, it was annihilated…"
Greg frowned, his brows knitting together in concern. "So, what happened to all the magic?" he inquired, his tone filled with a mixture of apprehension and determination. It was clear that he was ready to embark on whatever quest lay ahead.
For a 15-year-old like him, it was natural for him to possess childish expectations, and I wouldn't fault him for it.
I sighed, realizing how old I'd become. "There are dark forces at work, Greg," I admitted, meeting his gaze with a solemn expression. "And I don't know the reason as to how I've come to this world…"
Greg's eyes widened with realization, and a determined glint flickered in them. "Me? But I'm just… Greg," he protested, his voice tinged with uncertainty. Yet, beneath his doubts, I could sense the stirring of something extraordinary within him. There was a thick sense of inferiority, wanting, desires, and beyond it all— something true, pure, and noble.
"You may be ordinary in the eyes of others, Greg, but I see something extraordinary in you," I reassured him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You have the courage and the heart to defy the darkness that threatens to consume this world."
In every story, there would be a representative of darkness all taking different kinds of forms… In this world, I had no idea of its nature, except being eldritch… and anything 'eldritch' was never good news.
Greg's doubts began to wane. "I don't know," he said, genuine curiosity coloring his eyes. "Like I said, I am just… Greg… I don't know if I am dreaming. I don't know if I am kidnapped by some dangerous cape, but you don't seem like a bad guy to me. My mom always told me I had good perception, not that I believe her, but I could tell… You needed me. I don't know if I will be able to meet your expectations, but… I will try…"
Humility. It was a trait I saw rarely from the many champions I've watched over. As a wizard myself, I knew 'wisdom' when I saw it, and the young Greg had it—the 'wisdom' to not see himself as above others. "My time is running short, this plane of existence is rejecting me! Say my name!"
"What? I don't know…" Greg stuttered, his expression a mix of confusion and panic. He looked to me for guidance, his eyes wide with uncertainty.
"You do! You know it! Because I've chosen you, then you should know it! SAY MY NAME! The Magic is strong in you, but it was lost. That didn't matter anyway. Say my name!" I urged with desperation seeping into my voice.
"What? Wizard of Oz?" Greg blurted out, his brow furrowing in frustration as he grasped at straws.
I let out a frustrated sigh, my patience wearing thin. "No, not Wizard of Oz," I replied, shaking my head. "Try again, Greg. Focus. Feel the magic within you. It was already there the moment I've chosen you!"
Greg's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. "Sorry… It is… er… Sha…zam?" he ventured tentatively, his voice filled with uncertainty.
I felt a surge of magic coursing through me, responding to Greg's words. "SAY IT WITH MORE FEELINGS!" I urged, my voice echoing with power.
With determination, I raised my staff and stretched my left arm towards Greg, the energy of the universe swirling around us.
There was a moment of intense concentration, and then Greg's voice rang out with conviction. "SHAZAM!" he exclaimed, his words resonating with power and purpose.
As Greg spoke the word, a surge of magic enveloped us, illuminating the desolate landscape with a brilliant light. Suddenly, lightning cracked through the clouds, illuminating the darkness with its blinding brilliance. It danced across the sky in jagged tendrils, striking the earth with explosive force. With each bolt, the forest seemed to tremble, as if in fear of the raw power that coursed through the atmosphere.
There was a look of understanding in Greg's eyes as he shouted the magic words a second time, "SHAZAM!"
And then, as if drawn by some unseen force, the lightning converged upon Greg. It bathed him in its searing light, enveloping him in a dazzling display of energy. The Living Lightning surged through him, infusing every fiber of his being with its electrifying power.
For a moment, the forest was consumed by the intensity of the storm, the air crackling with electricity and the ground trembling beneath their feet. And then, as suddenly as it had begun, the light show ceased, leaving behind an eerie calm.
Greg blinked, disoriented and dazed, as he looked down at himself in disbelief. His new form was revealed in all of its glory for the world to see—a being of pure power, crackling with power and potential.
"W-what happened?" he stammered, his voice barely audible above the fading echoes of the storm.
But there was no one to answer him, save for the silent trees and the whispering wind.
My existence had long faded, and I could no longer sustain my corporeal form. As I gazed upon Greg, I felt a pang of regret that I could not impart more wisdom to him before my time was up. The 'Quest' ahead would be arduous, and I wished I could have prepared him better.
"Consider this your first trial, young Greg," I whispered, my voice barely a whisper in the wind. With a heavy heart, I summoned the last vestiges of my magic and channeled a teleportation spell.
"Depart, Champion," I commanded, my voice tinged with sadness and resignation. And with that final act, I felt myself fading away, my essence dispersing into the ether.
As the magic enveloped Greg, I watched as he vanished from sight, transported to parts unknown. The forest around me grew dimmer, the colors fading into shades of gray as my connection to this world waned.
I closed my eyes, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. Though my time as a guide had come to an end, I took solace in the knowledge that Greg was now on his own path, destined for greatness.
However, it was worrying how the 'magic' of this world was left in tatters… Thankfully, the boy had a hidden affinity towards magic, and since this world lacked mystics, the boy basically had a monopoly over the arcane source of this world.
With a final sigh, I surrendered to the inevitable, my form dissipating into nothingness. And as the last echoes of my presence faded away, I knew that I had done all that I could to prepare Greg for the challenges that lay ahead.
While I envied the other iterations of myself from different realities to be capable of still living after choosing their champions, I had no regrets…
Farewell, young champion, I thought, my consciousness drifting into the void. May the magic of this world guide and protect you on your journey.
.
.
.
.
Fuck, fuck, fuck… I met a Wizard, I now got myself superpowers, and I had been falling for thirty freaking minutes! It took a lot of self-control not to lash out, but my instinct was telling me that I could die if I went against the flow of this spatial fracture.
Finally, when I came out of the fracture that the Wizard sent me to, I found myself falling from up high. Fudging hell! I panicked, but it vanished as it quickly came.
"Am I flying? Yes, I am flying!" I exclaimed as I realized I wasn't falling anymore. I glanced down and saw the ground rushing towards me, but instead of crashing, I hovered effortlessly in the air.
I noticed a blue cape billowing from my back, and I was wearing a white tight-fit suit with a golden thunder symbol on my chest. "Whoa, I have abs…" I muttered to myself in disbelief, reaching out to touch my rock-hard stomach, half expecting it to be some kind of illusion.
To my surprise, my fingers met solid muscle, confirming that the abs were indeed real. A rush of excitement surged through me as I realized the extent of my newfound abilities. But I could not find myself being truly excited as finally— I realized that the place I'd been sent to was a literal warzone…
"Ah— crap," I gulped at the sight of the beautiful winged creature that could only be the Simurgh. "Yeah, this is too much… Isn't it?"
