Zach: Guardian of the Multiverse

Chapter 14: A Whole New World

Two weeks have passed since I got my new wings. Through some experimentation I was able to discover some features to my new wings. For example: whenever they were not in use they would disappear into my back rather than fold into themselves like a normal pair of wings. While doing some flights around the "Petting Zoo" which is a 100 acre area of land inside of Providence HQ used to study various animals and plants, I discovered that I could fly very fast. If I needed to, I could soar at past the speed of sound.

Also during these two weeks I received daily weapons training with Agent Six, along with some basic martial arts. He mostly taught me how to counter an opponent and how to use a sword, along with some meditation techniques. I also visited Dr. Salazar in my spare time to learn more about the nature of this world.

    While I was learning what I could, Blair was roaming the halls chatting with others, messing around with Bobo, and generally being a cat. Rex and I quickly became good friends and he was the one who taught me to fly because he had his own pair of "wings". While we were playing some one on one basketball Rex asked me what it was like to fly with actual wings. I quickly sunk a three-pointer and sighed in both bliss and to take a breath.

    I simply answered, "Free. Like there's nothing to hold me back. Being up there in the sky... there's no greater feeling."

    Rex simply nodded and we went back to playing for a few more hours. By the time we ended the game it was six in the evening with a score of 65 to 70 with me as the winner. We then got some chilled sodas from a vending machine with me getting a caffeine free soda and Rex getting a root beer. We both opened our cans with that satisfying hiss.

    "So Zach," Rex said, "when are you leaving? I liked having you here."

    "I don't know, Rex." I said, "the Nexus finds a new world, and I go to it. I like it here, too. You got a good thing going here. Friends, family, a home, you got stuff I'll never have. I my line of work, I have to keep moving."

*****

    After that, Six came and brought us back to HQ. When I got back, Blair quickly got on my shoulder. After some dinner, which was meatloaf and mashed potatoes, I played some video games with Rex while Blair was napping in my lap. An hour or so of gameplay later, the Nexus started to alarm, which scared Blair awake and startled me. I quickly called everyone to Holiday's office where we all stared at the Nexus.

    "I... I think it's time for us to go." I said solemnly. "The Nexus discovered a new world to explore and research. I have to go. I'll miss you guys."

"Don't be a stranger. Come back again, amigo." Rex said taking out his hand for me to shake. I smiled and shook his hand.

"This isn't goodbye. The Nexus has an internal database of worlds. I can come back anytime." I held out the Nexus in front of me and watched it float in the air. After a few seconds, a portal opened and was so bright everyone had to blink for a few seconds for their eyes to readjust.

With Blair on my shoulder, I faced the portal and turned back one more time. "Adios" I said before stepping through the portal and into a new reality.

*****

After I stepped through and set foot on new soil, I spent a minute getting my footing. Traveling through a portal is not a very good experience, but I'm getting used to it.

Almost immediately after I closed the portal and put the Nexus away I was attacked by a monster. It was about six feet tall, completely black except for some parts that were covered in a white, bone-like structure, and red markings. It was humanoid in appearance, but had canine legs and a canine head. It came in fast and tackled me, toppling me over and holding me down. The thing roared and howled like it was a werewolf, but it clearly wasn't.

The monster managed to scratch me a bit before I shook it off, got up and retreated a few feet. Just before the thing could lunge for another attack, I hear a loud gunshot and the thing slumped to the ground, dead with a bullet hole in its head. After it fell to ground it started to dissolve, like it was evaporating, small pieces were floating off it and dissolving in the air. I looked around and saw Blair, who was stuck in a tree after getting flung off my shoulder in the attack.

I then noticed a girl, a young one in her early teens by the looks of it. She was wearing a red hood with a red cape and was holding a red sniper rifle, one that looked unlike any I've ever seen. She put her hood back to reveal silver eyes and dark brown hair.

"Wow," she said, "It's not often someone shakes off a Grimm, let alone a Beowulf. I saw that portal you made. You're not from around here, are you?"

"Nah. I'm new to these parts. I'm Zach." I said.

"I'm Ruby. Ruby Rose. Welcome to Remnant." She said.