Beyond The Fourth Wall

Chapter 1.2: Exordium

Chapter 1.2: Exordium

"Right...!" Laika exclaimed. "Why are there four of them?"

"I never got to ask their names, but I just figured it out through their conversations. I've been listening carefully to their voices and how they differentiate from one another," Rosalina said. "I'm afraid to say that maybe, just maybe, Brynlee was actually right... It could possibly be her, just using a new name..."

"Actually..." Laika was trying to say something important. "I only remember seeing Flint riding a bicycle, thought he'd do great for the job so I dropped the wormhole and just like that he was sent here. I was also responsible for the teleportation of Brynlee... For France I just placed a wormhole outside his door, once he stepped out of his room he fell down. Trixie's case is odd, no, too concerning... she just appeared out of nowhere?! I don't remember her at all...."

Rosalina stood up. "What?" Looking worried, she paced around. "This is a big red flag... when did I ever mess up?"

"I'm sorry. It's not your fault, but mine..." Her paw pointed to herself.

"No need to blame yourself, the responsibility lies on me. Let's just do what we can to avoid possible worst case scenarios. So please, accompany the four of them, and most importantly... Keep an eye on Trixie."

—

The massive aggressive page tornado has ceased, and we have found ourselves standing on another world. The pages went back to the book, not a single page is missing or blown away. I'm impressed, what a creative way of bringing us here. I held the book with my hands and looked at this new world that we are in. We were in a certain city, specifically in an area not seen by many people, a small dark alley.

Suddenly, I could feel something rough on top of my head. The sharp claws, this is definitely one of the grinny foxes. "Hello! I'm here to guide everyone, because... I guess I'm positioned as the mascot character! Yet I am no ordinary plot device, I am just as relevant as all of you!"

"Not on my head or I'll knock you off," I said. I tried to grab her, but she instantly leaped away to dodge my hand. Ugh, you ruined the topmost part of my straight hair, what a ruckus. I tried to brush it off to restore it.

"What about your sister Aika? Is she not told to do something too? I noticed that she rarely speaks individually, and only speaks when the both of you say something in unison," France said.

"Don't mind her, she's just the shy type. But by the next world she will be the one who will guide you," Laika explained. "Anyways, welcome to this story named Stronger Without You! One of the hourglass pieces was dropped here, so you know the drill. Better find it!"

"Interesting title, what's the story about?" Flint asked.

"I don't know either, but Rosalina does. Also, aside from looking for the hourglass shard, you also need to watch out for The Eraser Assembly. Their target is the planet core, if that gets destroyed then this story will get deleted, so you better prevent that from happening! They will definitely also get in your way from obtaining the shards."

Laika added, "Another note: This task is really dangerous. If you fight those guys, the disadvantage is that they got powers and you don't!"

"What?!" Brynlee was startled. "T-Then why do we not have any powers?"

"Rosalina never said why, but I just think you'll get your powers soon enough, like some sort of awakening for your special abilities. Maybe you'll even say the name of your ultimate skill. I can give some name suggestions! For short ones then maybe 'Blood-strike!', but for long titles you can go with 'Ultimatum: Fiery Furnace Meteor!' You call it, you name it! That's how most fantasy plots work, silly!"