Chapter 2: An Unwelcome Visit

A flash. Then it was hard to describe what happened while travelling to the next portal or the "gateway" as Serena calls them. I'm pretty sure I became spaghetti at one point and the turbulence lasted the entire journey. However it lasted only 5 seconds so I guess overall it's an eight out of ten for me, very efficient. Flash. I exited the portal. But this time I saw a sight that I would never forget.

Beautiful lush green hills rolled out beneath me. To the far east a massive forest with ruins of castle towers dotted within tall trees. To my north a mountain so overwhelmingly huge its base was past the horizon and its peak obscured by clouds. To my left I saw a winding road into the distance with the faint outlines of a town. And finally to my south was a dazzling ocean. Everything was straight out of a fantasy book. Simply stunning. My only criticism was that I wish I was on the ground to admire it, instead of several thousand feet in the air. Falling.

I wasn't alone if that's any consolation. A woman with short brown hair had joined in my rapid descent. It could only be one person.

"Hey, how come I couldn't see you before" - I asked

"I have changed my form as per the conditions" - replied Serena

I don't remember asking her to do that but there was a more pressing problem in the form of the quickly approaching ground.

"Any ideas on how we can stop our fall?" - I asked hopeful

"Yes" - she replied "We continue our descent until we collide with the ground"

"Oh gee thanks, but I was hoping not to ruin some poor janitor's shift"

"I don't understand" - she tilted her head in confusion

Before I could make another comment the grassy floor suddenly became very large indeed. Impact imminent. I only wished I could've explored this new world. It would've kept me entertained for a long time. I braced myself and then... we face planted. Well to be more accurate I face planted. Serena landed with a tiny bit more grace. After a few moments of panicked relief I got up groaning.

"Why didn't we become red paste?"

"The gateway extends temporary immunity upon exit"

"Oh right...of course" - I said a little tired of all the impossibilities lately.

I stood up and turned to face Serena's new form. A young woman around 5 ft 6. Brown hair, bob cut with bangs that reached halfway to her pointed chin. A completely normal appearance with simple clothes, only betrayed by her eyes which were sky blue with hints of silver in her pupils.

"Is my appearance abnormal? I referenced our records so there should not be any discrepancies" - Serena asked expectant

"Nope If I didn't know any better I'd have thought you were a human instead of a weird voice in the void"

I declined to mention her eyes. I had a feeling that they couldn't be changed no matter how hard she tried.

"We are not weird voices" - Serena said a little hurt

"Do you guys have a collective name then?" - I asked curious

"The closest translation in your language would be Reapers"

"Oh... that's not ominous sounding at all" - I said sarcastically

"Thank you" - she said with a weird expression

I climbed out of our crater and got my first look at the world from the ground. We were in a hilly valley, the only landmark was the obscenely large mountain that covered a scarily large part of the sky. Thankfully I could use it as a reference for the north so I can make my way towards the road I saw earlier.

"By the way, why did you bother changing your appearance? Couldn't you have followed me around like a ghost?" - I asked suddenly remembering

"Your suggestion was to experience the rehabilitation myself" - Serena replied

Oh... I do remember saying that.

"However this form is rather cumbersome"

"Oh… sorry about that" I said, pride a little hurt

"Furthermore this human body is incredibly frail and resource hungry" - Serena continued

"Okay okay I get it" - I said, ears pink. "I don't mind you changing back you know"

"...I am unable to" - she said sorrowfully

"I'm telling you that I don't care as long as I have the company"

"I have lost the vast majority of my power" - she said quietly

"I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

"I have lost most of my power maintaining the gateway while going through it, so I am now stuck in this weak form with chance to go back until you complete your rehabilitation!" - She exasperated

"Oh um, well that does seem like it would be problematic for you" - I squeaked

"I'm aware" - Serena said curtly

Choosing to trust my survival instincts. I did not push her further. It was time to take note of my situation. I was in the middle of an unknown world with unknown dangers with a frustrated companion whose condition for coming here was that she could leave me for dead if I gave up on whatever this 'rehabilitation' stuff was. But beggars can't be choosers. On the bright side I am still alive. I also had a direction and a goal. West towards the road. If we can make our way there then we'll follow it until we reach the town and hopefully, Safety. I'll figure out what to do then. So long as nothing terrible happens along the way, like Serena discovering sarcasm or…

"There are Goblins approaching us" - Serena said, pointing in a direction.

Or that - I thought. I followed along her finger and saw their dark green silhouettes.

They blended into the green hill side but they were there, three of them heading in our direction. Thankfully they were still far away. The Goblins hadn't noticed us. Yet.

"I don't suppose we still have invincibility?" - I asked not expecting much

"No we do not"

Of course not, that would've been too convenient.

"Then I think it's time to go" - I said after a second's deliberation. As much as I wanted to meet a new species. I also didn't want to meet them while we were defenceless.

"Why?" - asked Serena

"Cause they might not be friendly for starts" - I explained

"Then let us find out" - said Serena, completely serious.

"No that's a dumb id-" but before I could finish she had already started waving her arm awkwardly, trying to catch their attention.

"If you don't mind, could you not try and indirectly kill us!" - I said while grabbing her arm.

It was already too late. I turned around and I could see the exact moment when they'd seen us. The trio of goblins collectively raised what was probably not wooden sticks and started screeching excitedly. They began running towards us in a not so welcoming fashion.

"I have deduced that they are most likely hostile" said Serena off to the side, arm down now.

Despite the oncoming danger I couldn't help myself but turn my head and look at her as if she was mentally deranged.

"We should go now" she said quietly under the hard stare.

"Oh really? You didn't want to ask for a cup of tea?" - I said finally

The goblins were close enough now that I could make out their features. Dark green skin. Small skinny bodies with no fat. Yellow eyes. Disgusting teeth with spit flying everywhere as they continued their screaming. Oh and their sticks were very clearly spears with what were clearly deadly points...however despite that. They were not fast. There was hope.

"Alright we're making a tactical retreat" I said to Serena, indicating the direction where I'd seen the road.

She nodded and began to run clumsily behind me.