Born Anew

Born Anew XII

Natron led us up the hill until we reached Oj'rah's altar. The goddess was a bizarre entity. A being made of crystals and what seemed to be gold and silver, with a beautiful female face.

"I am pleased to see you brought them here. As you can see I couldn't leave this place, since I prepared everything for your arrival." The goddess stated as she pointed at a symbol on the ground. Her gorgeous hands, made of filigree, reflected everything in their way.

"I suppose it is obvious you know why we are here." I stated.

"I have been waiting for you ever since Alloces informed me of your arrival. And I have chosen Natron to come because she knows you. This is the end of the play, my dear Robert Peterson." She smiled extending her arms. "This is the moment when you make your most important choice."

After uttering those words, a portal opened above the symbols on the floor. I could see my bedroom on the other side. Even though I spent a long time away, it was exactly the way I left it.

"Now, walk past the threshold while it is open. I will close it by sunset."

"Please tell me sunset is not even close." Marinette muttered with concern.

"Worry not. I will give you plenty of time to make the choice."

"I guess... I guess I will need that time." I said as I walked through the portal. "Guys, would you join me? I would like to show you my world, even if you won't stay."

"They won't. I am afraid your choice will be harder. Once I close the portal, I must balance the worlds. Someone from Krinam for someone in Avlaan."

"Wait. You mean there's an Avlaani over there?" Kraid replied, surprised by the fact.

"Yes. And she refuses to return. But once Robert returns, the journey is over and I will pull her back. Things will balance."

"But I could show them my place for a while, right?" I asked.

"Of course. You are free to come and go until the portal closes."

We walked into the portal. There was not much room for everyone, but we could fit the entire group, with the exception of Rhuk. Shana decided to stay with him. They both looked from the other side of the portal.

"This place looks so weird. What kind of world is this?" My demonic friend stated holding the controller of an old video game console.

"A boring world Robert will say goodbye forever to!" Marinette yelled.

I walked to my computer and noticed a piece of paper on its screen. It had a phone number and a message requesting me to call Azoth International.

"Guys..." I whispered turning my cell phone on. "I need you to stay calm... I will make a few calls before making my choice."

My phone turned on displaying no new messages and enough battery for a whole day. No one even bothered to call. Ever since I moved to Aurora staying in touch with my relatives became harder. And it seemed no one cared enough. I called my family first.

I waited a few minutes until someone answered. "Hello? Bob? What's going on? You never called before." My mother seemed concerned.

"Neither did you. I could be dead and you would never find out." I said in a grim tone.

"Well. I have been busy here, and you know your father... He..."

"Still mad at me for moving to Aurora? At least he was right on one thing. I should have never worked for Merkel."

"Did they fire you?"

"Yes. But it's fine. I met this girl... And some new friends I work with. We will be busy, so I don't know when I will see you again. I'll try to talk more often once I get the chance."

"Is that so?" I could notice the sadness in her voice. "I'm so sorry. We never say 'goodbye' the right way."

"Mom. I'll be fine. And I promise I will call you soon. So stay calm and wait for me."

"Bob... No matter what happens... I am your mother, and I love you."

"I love you too." I hung up and took a deep breath. The hardest part was over.

"Are you staying with us then?" Lowri asked. Marinette couldn't even speak due to the unexpected turn of events.

"It depends on the next call. But I think that will be the way things should be."

"All this drama! Hey! Mind if I take some stuff from here?" Natron asked. "I mean. If you're leaving you might as well take some things with you."

"Let me finish this call first." I dialed the phone number on the message.

"Red Magus, Azoth International representative at your service." An elegant voice answered.

"It's Robert Peterson. You left your number at my place."

"Yes. We took interest on your case and made sure everything would be in order for your return from Avlaan."

"You knew?"

"We were informed you were sent to that world, which a native has provided some information about."

"Yeah... About that. I guess you have been keeping this place in order and paying the bills ever since... Would you mind if you kept that going for a while?" I took a deep breath to continue. "I got some unfinished business in Avlaan, you see."

"We could reach an agreement. But we will need you to work for us."

"That would be a great idea. But there's not enough time to sign a contract."

"This call will suffice as verbal contract. You might also require to lend us your residence."

"Look. If they respect the place I'm O.K. with that."

"I see. As I mentioned earlier, we have an Avlaani working for us. But she is not in the payroll. We will register you as our employee and pay her, as well as all the bills from your place, through your contract."

"So... This sounds a bit illegal."

"Barely legal, you could say."

"I have one condition. If she is going to stay at my place..."

"It will be only on occasion." Red interrupted.

"Whatever. She will stay, and the place is technically yours. Could you send some money to my mother?"

"Of course. She is in our data base already. Danielle Peterson, right?"

"Yes. That's all I need."

"Welcome to your new job at Azoth International. You will be our courier."

"What?"

"We need you to deliver an important message to a man named Sitri in Avlaan."

"Sitri again. What is it?"

"Tell him Sitri Michaelis Kathen Alexandros still upholds the promise his great grandmother made, and is watching over Krinam and our Azoth from his seat."

"Wait... This is way too weird."

"It gets weirder, I know it."

"Well. I am an Azoth employee now. See you soon."

"May you succeed in all your endeavors!"

With the call done I had made my choice.

"Guys. Help me pack. I'll try to take as many things as possible. Anything that doesn't need an internet or phone connection goes." I said as I began to pack my belongings. "We're leaving only furniture and things that would be as good as bricks over there." I actually planned to take my computer. Even with no internet I had some uses for that toaster, such as writing a journal or playing some offline games.

"Great! I feel like I'm robbing a house!" Marinette laughed.