Page 31 of World of the Forgotten (World of the Forgotten #1)

The being’s form shifted, stars swirling in mesmerizing patterns. “To fully awaken your potential as a Twilight Cleric, you must embrace the duality of your nature. Light and dark, life and death, creation and destruction - all must find balance within you, for your power is created in my image.”

I felt a chill run down my spine as realization dawned. “You… You’re the god of the Twilight?”

The cosmic being’s form shimmered, its starry visage seeming to smile. “I am one aspect of the Twilight, yes. I represent the balance between light and dark, the threshold between realms. And you, young cleric, have the potential to wield my power.”

I stood in awe, my mind struggling to comprehend the enormity of what was happening. “But... why me? I’m not even from this world. I’m just trying to survive.”

“The circumstances of your arrival matter not,” the god intoned. “What matters is your potential, the spark within you that resonates with the very essence of twilight. But to fully embrace this power, you must be willing to walk the line between worlds, between life and death itself.”

A shiver ran through me. “What exactly does that mean?”

The cosmic form swirled, images flickering within its starry depths.

I saw flashes of myself wielding incredible magic- healing grievous wounds with a touch, banishing undead creatures with holy light, and even glimpses of stepping between planes of existence.

But I also saw darker visions - draining life force from enemies, manipulating shadows, and communing with spirits of the dead.

“The twilight is a realm of balance,” the god’s voice resonated. “To truly master its power, you must be willing to walk in both light and shadow. To heal and to harm. To create and to destroy. To resurrect and to put down. Are you prepared for such responsibility?”

I hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on me.

This was far more than I had bargained for when I touched that orb.

“I... I don’t know if I’m ready for that kind of power,” I admitted.

“What if I can’t control it? What if I hurt someone I care about?

And in Cindersea… those kinds of magic are illegal. It could get me killed.”

The cosmic being’s form shifted, suddenly closer to me.

“That is precisely why you are here. The clerics of your world have lost the way. They no longer maintain the balance and have fallen out of my graces.” He leaned closer, those glowing eyes only inches from my face.

“But you will be my champion, the one that will bring Cindersea back into balance once more.”

I stood frozen, overwhelmed by the god’s words and the weight of responsibility they carried. My mind raced, trying to process everything I’d just learned. A champion? Me? I was just a lost soul in a strange world, struggling to survive. How could I possibly be worthy of such a role?

“I... I don’t know if I can do this,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “It’s too much. I’m not ready.”

The cosmic being’s form rippled, its starry visage softening. “Few are ever truly ready for their destiny, young one. But know this - I would not have chosen you if you did not have the potential within you.”

“But we found the orb. Nobody chose me. It was an accident!”

He seemed to almost raise an eyebrow in my direction. “Do you think you would’ve found the orb if I had not willed it?”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. It was hard to argue with the logic of a god. “But what about my friends? Will they be safe? What about the RSB? If they find out I’m wielding this kind of power, they might turn on me.”

The cosmic being’s form shimmered, its starry visage seeming to smile. “The path of a champion is rarely easy, young one. But remember, the twilight exists in the balance between extremes. Your power need not be overt. Learn to wield it subtly, to walk between worlds unseen.”

I considered this, my mind racing. The idea of having such power was exhilarating, but terrifying. “And my friends? Will they be in danger because of me?”

“Your companions each have their own paths to walk,” the god intoned. “But know this - as you grow in power, so too will your ability to protect those you care for. The choice, as always, remains yours. Unlike your RSB, I will not force your hand.”

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. How could I turn down a god? Would he really allow me to tell him no and still send me home with my life intact?

“As I said,” he replied, clearly able to read my thoughts. “The choice is yours and yours alone. There are no consequences for turning down my offer.”

I wanted the power to protect my friends.

I’d wanted that from the very beginning.

Kai stepped up to lead us and everyone else played their part to make sure the party succeeded and survived in this unforgiving new world.

But this newfound power could mean being on the front lines, facing my fears in battle, and painting a target on all our backs.

I didn’t know if it would just be the RSB after us either.

Maybe the king himself would hunt us down if anyone found out what kind of power I’d accepted from the god of the Twilight himself.

Still, the alternative was just as grim.

Days filled with hunting, barely scraping together enough coin to survive, and always being under the watchful eye of the RSB.

That didn’t sound great either. The chances of living a full and happy life seemed less than zero.

At least as a champion of the Twilight, we might all stand a chance.

But was it worth the risk?

When I opened them again, I met the god’s cosmic gaze with newfound resolve. “I... I accept. I’ll become your champion.”

The cosmic being’s form pulsed with radiant energy, stars swirling in intricate patterns.

“So be it,” the god said, its voice resonating through my very being.

“Embrace your destiny, champion of the Twilight. And take care that you don’t wield magic you are not yet strong enough to control.

” He paused for a moment, looking me over.

“To complete the binding, you must return the Orb of Communion to its rightful place in the dungeon. That is your task. ”

A surge of power coursed through me, every nerve ending alight with crackling energy.

I gasped as knowledge flooded my mind - ancient rituals, forgotten spells, the ebb and flow of life and death itself.

My body felt like it was being unmade and remade, molecule by molecule.

The void fell away as I was consumed by the magic, mind, body, and soul.