The Sisters

Hermes

This whole situation is so strange. The last thing I remember doing was studying for a big test, and then all of a sudden, I was naked outside surrounded by fire. It was so abrupt that I had no clue what was happening. It felt like a bad dream; it didn't feel real. But I guess it was real. I guess all of this is real. I was reborn in a different world. I know it sounds crazy, but it's real. I really was reborn into a different world. Never in my life would I think this would happen, so you could say this is a dream come true for me. I mean, who wouldn't want to be reborn in a fantasy world, full of magic and dragons? Well, I don't know if there is magic or dragons in this world, but I mean, if a fantasy world doesn't have them, what's the point of being reborn in a fantasy world? The world would be very boring if it didn't have those things. The coolest part of being reborn in a fantasy world is learning how to use magic. Even though I don't know for sure that there is magic, there might be evidence to suggest that there is magic in this world. The first clue is when I woke up in this world. I am pretty sure I was summoned, the reason being that I was surrounded by fire and some strangers were standing nearby watching me. Some of them were bowing to me. So, it seems like they knew who I was and where I would be. I think they were the ones who summoned me here, but why? Another reason why I think magic exists in this world is the body I was reborn in. It's so strange, and what I mean by this is that it looks like me. To be more specific, it looks like a younger version of me. It has the same black hair that I did and the same pale skin. The face looks just like mine but with a few differences. The most significant difference is that this new body has three eyes instead of two! It's really nauseating seeing something with three eyes instead of two. Hopefully, I will get used to this, but in the meantime, I have to suffer through this! Another thing is that my ears are pointy. Does that mean I'm an elf? This is easily the greatest day of my life. I was reborn in a fantasy world as an elf. Elves were always my favorite fantasy race with their long ears and sexy bodies. I mean, come on, who doesn't like Elvis? They're freakin' Elvis! 

"Great Sage Hermes, it's great to finally meet you. My name is John. I am a knight for the Buddhist church."

How does he know my name?! I don't believe I ever told him my name. It could be possible, I said in my confusion. No, that can't be it, he said, Great Sage Hermes. I definitely know I didn't say anything like that. So, he must think that I'm someone else. Coincidentally, we both have the same name. So instead of summoning me, they were trying to resurrect someone else? I wonder how I was summoned then? He said his name was John; he's cute. He's not really my type, though he looks like a twink from how slim and soft his skin is. It's funny to think that this twink is a knight. I do notice that he's speaking a different language than English, but somehow, I understand what he's saying. Well, it's not too different from English, so maybe that's why. Wait! He has four eyes?! Why does he have four eyes?! That's so cool! Keep it together; you must assess the situation first. "It's a pleasure to meet you, John. If I may ask, why am I here?"

"Ah yes, you were revived to help us in the coming war."

"War?" This doesn't sound good. This twink is already talking about a war. I guess that's the big conflict in this story—a war! Great! Why couldn't I be reborn in a slice-of-life story instead? Well, I guess this could be a power fantasy instead, so maybe it won't be so bad.

"Yes, Uriel is gathering forces in the north, preparing for war! Thankfully we have you, Hermes."

Should I tell him that I'm not who he thinks I am? Well, it's possible once he learns that I'm not this Great Sage, he will dispose of me or abandon me. That last one isn't too bad, but with zero knowledge of this world, I don't think that I would last long. So, it would probably be best to pretend that I'm the Great Sage Hermes. There are a few problems. First, I have no clue who this person is or how they acted, and second, I have to help win a war! That doesn't sound fun, but it's not like it doesn't come with a few perks. One of which is that it sounds like people will do whatever I say. So how to convince him that I am the Great Sage Hermes while also having no knowledge of who they were? Well, the best answer would probably be just acting like I lost my memories. Yeah, that sounds plausible! It wouldn't be far-fetched to think that I was resurrected without my previous memories. You know, thinking about it, that could have actually happened to me. I was reborn a long time ago, then died, then resurrected, but I forgot everything that had happened. Well, for now I don't think that's the case.

"If I may be so bold as to ask, is everything alright? Is there anything wrong?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, it looks like something is bothering you." 

Thanks for the easy layup, John! "Well, yes, there does seem to be something wrong. It seems my previous memories are gone. I can't recall anything!"

"Wait, really?!"

"Yes!" 

"This is very troubling! Please give me a second!" 

Man, he's in a rush. Everything seems to be going according to plan, though. So that's good, but I do wonder what he's doing. 

"Great Sage Hermes, these are the people who brought you back to life. They call themselves the sisters."

The sisters?! This is a little concerning; I thought John was the one who brought me back to life. There seem to be three of them. They're so creepy looking, and I don't know why, but all of a sudden, I feel this dread washing over me. This can't be good! All three of them are wearing a white robe, and for some reason, they have a piece of paper covering their faces. The papers seem to have a drawing on them. It looks like an eye… Wait, the eye just moved; it's blinking! So, there is magic in this world; that's so cool! Well, it looks like I found my teachers. Well, maybe they seem to have gotten the ritual so wrong that instead of resurrecting Hermes, it summoned me. That's if I was really reborn a long time ago, died, and was resurrected without my memories. 

"Hello, Great Sage Hermes, it's great to finally meet you in the flesh."

"Likewise. So, you are the ones who brought me back to life."

"...Yes, we were the ones to resurrect you, Hermes."

What was up with that long pause? "I hope you will be able to teach me how you pulled off such a feat. It's not every day someone manages to bring someone back from the dead." 

"I don't think that's a possibility."

"Why?"

"Let's focus on the matter at hand. It appears that she has lost her memories. Could something have gone wrong with the resurrection ritual?"

"It's possible. It is a very complex ritual; even with our lifetime of devotion to studying and practicing it, it's still possible we could have made mistakes."

"So, what do we do?"

"I think the best course of action is just giving it time. Her memories could come back, or they won't. If they don't, I don't think it matters. She is still the Great Hermes, and that still means something."

"I agree. No doubt if the Great Hermes never gets her memories back, it will be a massive setback, but like you said, she is still the Great Sage. So, what do you say, Great Sage Hermes? Will you help us, as you did so long ago? Will you be the person who we need you to be in our greatest hour of need?"

Well, that's a lot to put on one person, but I think my answer is clear! "Of course! I couldn't be so heartless as to say no."

"Thank you very much. I am eternally grateful for what you've done. You might not remember, but I remember. We all remember what you've done."

What an ominous thing to say. "Okay? So, what's next?"

"We will be making our way to the nearest town, where we will stock up on supplies. Once we get the supplies, the next destination is the capital of Coconteppi where we will have a meeting with the king."

"Why are we going to have a meeting with the king?"

"So that we can try to convince him to help with the war. Our ultimate goal is to get to Yoconteppi so that we can prepare for the coming war."

"Okay."

"So, we need to talk about what to do with the sisters."

"What do you mean?"

"They aren't followers of one of the approved religions! They are Thalassa worshipers, followers of a false god!" 

Who is Thalassa?! And what does he mean by approved religions? Usually, humans think that there can only be one true religion, but it sounds like humans of this world believe there are or could be multiple true religions—how interesting. "So, what do you want me to do?"

"Well, I will leave that decision up to you."

I would like to learn magic as quickly as possible, and the sisters seem to be the best candidates. So, I would like for them to live. "I get to decide what to do with them?"

"Yes."

"May I talk to them?"

"But of course."

"What are your names?"

"We gave up our names a long time ago."

"May I ask why?"

"That is a long story that would be best left forgotten."

"Okay, then I have a question for you. Could you teach me magic?" 

"But of course. We can teach you many things. Things that are evil or forbidden for people to learn. If we teach you magic, many wouldn't like it, thinking that we corrupted you. It would be best for you to find a different teacher."

"I'm not really concerned about what others think. What I do care about is learning as much as I can, and if the price of that is people not trusting me, thinking that I have been corrupted, then so be it!" 

"Are you sure about this, Hermes? We can find you another teacher. You can avoid all of this."

"I'm sure! I want them to be my teachers!"

"Well, then it looks like you three live. But don't think I have forgotten about what you've done!" 

"We would never dream of it."

"You may leave!" 

He definitely doesn't look pleased. "Are you angry with me?"

"Why would I be angry?"

"You know why."

"...I'm not angry; it's just a little upsetting."

 "Why?"

"Because they are evil people. I have seen what they've done, and it's not pretty!"

"What did you see them do?" 

 "...When I was searching for them, I heard stories about them. None of them were pretty. Some said they stole people, and some said that they burnt down entire towns. When I finally found them, they were in the middle of a ritual… I saw them rip out a child's heart while he was still alive!"

…Damn, yeah, I can't defend that. That does sound bad, but they seem to be loyal to me, so it might be fine. "...Do you think I made the wrong decision, John?"

"No, I know that you have your reasons. It's just knowing what they've done." 

"I know it's difficult to accept, but there is a reason why I'm doing what I'm doing. You just need to trust me. Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do!" 

"...Thank you, truly. You have been nothing but kind to me. Even now you still choose to trust me. All I can really say is thank you for everything."

"No need to thank me. I'm just doing my duty as a knight and as a follower of the Buddha."

"May I be left alone for a little while? I would like to get some rest."

"Of course. I will be standing outside your tent if you need anything." 

I did it. Everything seems to be going according to plan. I would like to begin learning magic right now, but it probably would be best to not push my luck, plus I am tired. Well, I have a big day tomorrow, so let's hope when I wake up, I'm not back on Earth; that would suck! I think I'm finally getting used to this third eye.