Magiearn

CHAPTER ONE: The Closet

Theo cursed as he stared at the door. It was a rather mundane door and should have been, anyways. The entry in question he had never seen before. It seemed to be a utility closet, but it wasn't, it couldn't have been. He had lived in this house for around two years, and made it a mission in the first month to memorize where everything was in his home. He paced around his basement, trying to gather the courage to open the door. He had heard unnerving noises from his basement lately, sounds of animal roars and things knocking over, and he had decided to grab his gun and check it out. He had honestly been expecting anything but a random door that appeared. He'd be ok with a psycho homeless dude ready to kill him, but a random door? Not up his alley if he's being honest. Some type of paranormal shit. He wasn't a fan of those. He was ok with having a dead guy in his house. Never ok with random doors appearing. Wasn't this how people got killed in horror movies? He was much more intelligent than that if he said so himself.
"How? How did a random door end up here?" he muttered to himself yet again, as if he expected the gods to pop an answer into his head. He stopped to stare at it again. He was confused, so incredibly confused, and frustrated as well. This was not how he wanted to spend his summer evening. He paced a bit more as he stared at the door, debating if he wanted to look inside. He heard a meow at his feet, and he crouched down to pet his cat when he remembered that he didn't own a cat, much less a cat with fluffy owl wings, and if he jumped out of his skin at the sight, well that was between him and the gods. "Cats don't have wings" he muttered to himself, almost like a reminder, to make sure he wasn't going insane. "And I don't own a cat" he tilted his head in confusion, his dyed blue hair falling in his face. He jumped again as something behind the door let out a roar. He let out a soft, anxious groan as he shakily reached for his gun, which was on the floor next to him, he had dropped it when he saw the cat-bird thing, was that a Manticore? He had no clue about that either; he didn't think so. Didn't Manticore have a scorpion tail? He shook off the thought and slowly opened the door. "I really can't believe I'm doing this" he muttered softly. He peaked behind the door and his mouth hung open in shock as he took in the sight of what was behind the door.

✴☽ ~ ☾✴

Behind the door was light. Not just any light, but sunlight. "Why is there sunlight in a utility closet?" He thought as he slowly looked around. Deer with glowing star-like patterns on dark blue coats grazed and pranced around. Cats with different assortments of bird wings and colors rolled around, catching unnaturally colored mice. Great massive dragons of mostly dark blue's and purple soared through the sky, letting out mighty roars. "Ah. So that was what was making the roaring sounds"
"Oh gods," he said in wonder as he stepped through the door, somewhat pleased to find that the grass was the softest he's ever felt. He looked around yet again and froze as he saw humans, but they were not human per se. Their ears were much too pointy and more extended than humans, and their hair was a variety of unnatural shades of blue, purple, black, and white. They had an array of differently colored eyes, shades of blue, purple, and any shade between deep black and silver. They had horns of any length and shade, some having silver clasps and dangled chains. Their outfits were a medieval style, made of delicate fabrics that looked relatively breathable. They all looked different, like individuals, however, they all shared a few similar traits. They all had dark shades and symbols of the moon and stars. Cool silver Igunez and Dagaz runes stood prominent on their clothes, along with a Double Spiral, as well as their horns all being slightly curved. "These things are living rent-free in my damn house," Theo thought with a frown. He then looked at his clothes. He looked relatively different from the creatures that were frolicking in the field in front of him. He stuck out like a sore thumb.
One of the human-like beasts lifted its head to stare at Theo. They had gorgeous black eyes, like pure obsidian, black hair that was as shiny as a raven, tannish skin, with a grey and brown outfit. The animals' horns were adorned with silver chains with moon and star pendants. It seemed slightly more lavish than the others. Its garments seem of better quality and more accessorized. The creature put its hand on something on its belt. Theo held his breath, not knowing what to do, whether he should run away and pray he'd make it to the door, or approach the creature. He was a bit scared. He was in an unfamiliar area with unfamiliar creatures. The creature made that decision for him. It stood up and, the creature was tall. Probably five-nine? Six feet? Tall. At least compared to Theo. Theo sadly got stuck with the short gene in his family, ending up at around five-three. The creature damn near strutted over to Theo and Theo almost dropped dead from panic, fumbling for his gun yet again. It moved smoothly as if needing no effort at all. It was visibly strong and had a few swords on its belt.
"What are you doing here?" The creature asked. He, well Theo thought it was a he, tilted his head curiously, but tense all the same. He seemed to be sizing himself up, making himself more prominent and more intimidating. It was working.
"I, uh, fell through a door in my basement and ended up here?" Theo squeaked. It sounded more like a question than a statement, cursing weakly when he realized that he couldn't get his gun out of the pocket it was in.
The being tilted his head in confusion. "You fell through a door... And ended up here?" He did not sound amused at all. His face seemed like he didn't even believe him! The beast's hand tightened on the sword and pulled it out a tiny bit as a threat.
Theo nodded a tiny bit "That is correct," he mumbled. He was a bit unnerved by the intense stare of the creature. "Uhm.. what's your name?" he asked.
"I am Ambrose." the creature, no, Ambrose responded, "And you?"
"Theo," he said softly. "What are you? And where am I?"
"Well, I'm an elf. And that little brat next to you," he gestured to the winged cat. "Is a Felve"
Theo blinked in confusion "A Felve?" he turned to the cat, or 'Felve' as it was, and stared at it "is that a word cross between feline and an Ave?" he asked, he had temporarily forgotten about his desperation to grab his gun, something inside of him saying that the elf posed no threat.
Ambrose chuckled softly "yes, as a matter of fact, it is, as that is what they are," he smiled. His smile was lovely, the perfect blend of cockyness and comfort, though Theo thought it was a bit on the defensive side.
Theo found himself blushing a bit, the elf was around five-nine, and Theo was five-three, making him have to crane his neck up to look the 'elf' in the eye, and with him being pressed up against the door, well- tree- wait tree? Never mind that thought right now. With him being pressed up against the tree, the elf just looked even taller. "Oh- uh- what is this place called?" Theo asked.
"This Kingdom is Maanaria. The continent is Magiearn." he smiled "Motherland of Magic, dragons, elves, basically all the magical stuff. Which you are none of. What are you? Theo?"
Theo's eyes widened in surprise "Well... I'm a human by definition. Like an elf, I assume, except we don't have horns or pointy ears"
Ambrose blinked in delight "a human?" he tilted his head, his dark hair falling into his face. "You're not from this world are you?"
"Yes. Fell through a utility closet" Theo deadpanned. He had said this earlier.
"A... what?" the elf frowned, never hearing that word before.
"It's a closet you put things for your house in"
Ambrose hummed softly "I see.. We don't have those here." his eyes lit up a bit "why don't we go and introduce you to my parents, you can be an honorary guest!"
Theo raised his eyebrows curiously "what?"
Ambrose nodded happily "yes of course. I command it." He grabbed Theo's wrist and Theo felt butterflies in his stomach.
"Command it? What are you a prince or something?"
"Or something", the elf chuckled and looked at him, starting to walk off.