The endless adventures of the Dimension Princess

Chapter 7: Recruitment

Once the idea of asking my friends for help has settled in my head I make my way over to Heines office.

I knock.

"Come in!"

I open the door and enter, standing before his desk. Nervously, I start to fidget.

"What do you need, your highness?"

"Well, first of: I told you it's fine to address me by my name and secondly, I'd like to ask for your opinion of something."

"Alright then Mailin." Heine says, emphasizing my name. "Ask away."

While explaining I pace back and forth anxiously waiting for his answer as he contemplates my idea.

"How many people exactly do you wish to hire?"

"Oh! I- I don't mean to hire... uhm- how should I put it? I just want to ask for help and in exchange I'll grant them powers and each of them will get a weapon and a region to oversee-"

Heine holds up his hand, motioning me to stop "Alright, alright. I get it, no need to ramble."

I sigh relieved "So I can go and ask them?"

Heine chuckles, amused "You don't have to ask me for permission, you're in charge!"

"Oh, right! Thanks Heine." I smile.

First, I seek out Emma, my loyal friend and talented artist. I find her in her studio, surrounded by her latest creations.

Em startles and looks at me with surprise.

"Where the hell did you come from?!"

I point at the now closing Portal behind me "Through there."

"I can see that but how- where- since when has that been a thing?!"

"You mean in earth time or in Auria time, because in earth time probably since about 10 minutes ago and in Auria time since a month ago."

Em shrugs "Okay then." and goes back to drawing.

"I have something I need to ask you. See, I'm now the princess of a planet called Auria and for the past few months I've noticed that it is rather difficult doing all the required chores that come with that job by myself-"

Em chuckles "Yeah, no shit Sherlock."

"So I wanted to ask if you'd like to come with me and-"

"I'm in." Em says, standing up.

"You haven't even heard the whole thing! Don't you even want to know what you'd have to do?" I ask, confused.

"No, I'm good."

"Ok then.... just so you know, while you're on Auria, time here stops and no one will ever know you're gone."

"Cool cool."

I nod slowly, looking closely at her face and trying to decipher her expression. When I don't see any doubt I open a Portal.

"If you go through that you'll end up in my advisors office. He will answer any other questions you should have. I still have a few other people to get."

"Roger that." Em gives me a two finger salute and jumps through the Portal.

Then, I seek out Nike, the courageous and strong-willed warrior. I find her on the training grounds, honing her combat skills with determination and focus.

Nike gasps, startled by my presence but quickly calms down. She turns to me.

"What are you doing here? And what is that?!" Her eyes widen when she sees the closing Portal.

"A Portal. Quick version, I'm now a Princess on a different planet called Auria, handling it all by myself is too much. Do you want to help? While you're on Auria time here on Earth stops, so no one will notice that you're gone."

Nike thinks about it for a second and then nods "Yeah, ok."

"Just like that?"

"Yeah, why not? Sounds like fun." Nike grins which in turn makes me grin.

I open a portal "Well then, step right through here. My advisor will be waiting on the other side."

As Nike walks through the portal I open another one, last stop.

I locate Naile, the kind-hearted and compassionate soul. I find her volunteering at a local shelter, caring for those in need with unwavering compassion.

"Hi Naile."

"AAAAAAAAAHHHH WHAT THE FUDGE?!"

"Would you quiet down?" I hiss.

"What- How- When- Where?" Naile stammers, her eyes wide.

"Oh boy... I screwed up." I grab Naile and step through another Portal.

Next, we track down Merle, the brilliant thinker and problem solver. We find her buried in books at the local library, her mind as sharp as ever.

I place her sister Naile in front of her, Merle startles and looks at me with a raised eyebrow.

"I think I broke your sister."

"WHAT?!"

"Quiet!" I shush her.

I make the two sit down. "Now, listen carefully. I'm the princess of a planet called Auria, but I've come to realize that I can't do it all myself, so, do you want to help?"

Merle looks at me with excitement "Oh my god! Yes!"

Naile seems hesitant, seems logical, "I mean, if Merle is doing it... then ok."

"Great!" I open a portal once again "Follow me, the others are waiting!"

"Wait, others?"

"There are more?!"

When we exit the Portal we find Heines office to now be quite crowded. There are six people in a room meant for at least three.

My friends look at each other and then point at one another.

"Dudes, you're here too!"

"Hey!"

"Not surprised."

"No way!"

I clap my hands, gathering their attention "Ok, everyone, listen up! I shall explain the situation once more. A few months ago, I fell here. Then after a crazy turn of events I became this Planets leader, their Princess. I've come to the conclusion after some time that this too much of a job for one Person so I want to ask you, my friends, for help. I've thought long and hard about this and come to the decision to grant you powers, you shall be trained with a weapon of your choice and become lords/ladies for each of the main four regions that this Planet has."

It is quiet after my explanation, everyone is thinking it over.

"No one back home will notice your absences, time on Earth stops while you're here." I add.

At that, everyone excitedly agrees.