Custodes mortis

The married couple led the way while Isaac was behind them, taking in the scenery. There were stars in the sky that barely looked blue. It was more white with splashes of color that the stars bring. The moon was also in the background, being a dark color of blue and barely noticeable. This made everything seem so bright and colorful, almost like the saturation feature was turned all the way up in this world.

It was somewhat of a positive change from the bleak colors of Isaac's neighborhood.

They ascended the hill on which the small cottage was on and finally were in front of the entrance. Multiple people were waiting there already. Once they caught a glimpse of them, they all took an exhale of relief.

"It finally worked, didn't it?"

"So he is the one?"

They all murmured to each other as the trio got closer. Some ran up to meet them halfway, and Isaac smiled and greeted them all. They were in awe of the earthling and touched him in disbelief.

"Wow, you re so fit!" One girl whispered as she touched his arm. He was wearing a long sleeve ripped up white shirt, a grey hoodie, and some black jeans.

He had just walked out of a hospital. What else was he supposed to wear?

"Only the fit can protect beauties such as yourself." Isaac spoke to her.

She blushed and covered her face with her hair before running away. Isaac didn't actually find her pretty, nor did he find her ugly. He actually couldn't register the type of stuff most of the time. Of course, when he sees a conventionally attractive person, he could tell they were attractive, but he just felt nothing towards the people depending on appearance.

"I'm so glad it's over! I couldn't possibly make another blessed dough!"

One of the chubbier men spoke to Tina as they entered the village. He sat in front of his own home with one of the long grass blades in his mouth.

"Oh, my god, Vanier! It is only thanks to you we could do this!" Tina ran up to him to give him a hug, and he let out a hearty laugh. "I'm sure it was your expertise that helped the summon the most. It's not like this old fart could've done much."

She threw her arm around her husband, who kept quiet.

He was a quiet man. Content on letting his wife lead and just taking the back seat. A man with a failed dream who had little to live for anymore wasn't confident in facing others when he couldn't even face himself.

As that was happening, the others pulled away Isaac.

'Everybody here has white hair and grey eyes.' Isaac thought. 'A race? Or a clan? That guy is different, though....' He peaked at Vanier.

"Oh lord! You're so soft!" One of the older women spoke.

"Wel-" Before Isaac could finish his sentence, he was snatched away again.

"Hey, what is earth like?" Some boy with missing teeth spoke to him. "Are the girls their better than these Oggers?"

"Still mad you can't get a girlfriend to save your life?" One of his female acquaintances with shorter hair asked.

They both looked pretty young to Isaac, even though he still didn't know how the time was running here.

"Where is the boy? I have some dumplings for him to eat before he goes on his quest for justice!"

"No! He's coming with us first!"

Isaac scrunched his nose, but in this unfamiliar place, he had no choice but to endure.

This led on with the young man being pulled left and right by the village people. He sweet-talked his way through multiple situations and... marriage proposals?

Half earthling babies were known to be very valuable, it seemed.

Eventually, a large carriage led by two horses made its way into the village from the opposite entrance of Isaac. A guard in full gold armor was with them and the carriage driver. Everybody gathered to hear what the man had to say.

"A LETTER FROM HIS MAJESTY! THE TIME FOR THE SUMMONING RITUALS HAS ENDED AND THE TIME OF THE TRIAL PREPRATIONS WILL START! SINUS GOETEE AND YUN GOETEE'S SUMMON'S MUST ENTER THIS CARIAGE TO BE TAKEN TO THE CASTLE!"

The man yelled what was written on the paper.

Tani walked towards Isaac and put something into his hand. When the boy looked, it was an even smaller bottle of purple liquid. He squinted his eyes to see the amount inside.

"He's shy but wanted to give you this." Tani whispered to him. "This is apologies since we can't come with you. You'll have to figure it out on your own, but advice from me. Don't trust ANYONE."

'I wasn't planning on it anyway,' Isaac thought, but he nodded at her, anyway.

A bunch of others piled stuff into his hands, including the nice lady from the beginning. She handed him a small container of dumplings that she made for him.

"To keep you strong through the journey." She smiled at Isaac, and he gave a wide smile back.

He then walked over to the carriage where the driver opened the door for him, and he entered.

"WHOOOOO! BYE!"

"BRING US JUSTICE!!!"

"ISAAC! ISAAC! ISAAC!"

"Antecessum!" The driver whipped the reins, and the carriage took off. Even further down the hill and into the woods.

Isaac sat back in his seat. It was pretty comfy, and once he was settled, he pulled out a book from his underwear that was covered by the hoodie he wore. The one with the picture of the red queen.

He had stolen it.

'Now let's see what this world is really about!' He flipped to the page with the picture. Next to it were the big bold letters in red "MAD CENTURY."

It seemed that part was written in English, yet the rest was written in a language Isaac couldn't read. Probably their native tongue.

"Fuck. I can understand but I can't read? Thes really messed up my summoning.' He flipped through the rest of the pages. 'So annoying.'

But he stopped in his tracks when he came across a page filled with scales and other animal parts. He was able to make out the words of,

".. Beast.... Scales.... Tail...." He came upon a long tail that was split in two. "Ph... eo.. nix-phoenix tail! This is the one I need!" He tried to read the description and figure out where it could be found.

...

"UGH!"

*BAM!*

He threw the book at the window before him and slummed back with no luck. Scrunching his nose, he mumbled to himself in annoyance.

*Knock, Knock!*

"Are you alright in there?" The guard asked from outside.

Isaac looked out at him. He was a young man but completely different in looks towards the others. He had light brown hair with hazel eyes that reflected the sun well. So did the carriage driver.

'Everybody else looks pretty much the same. Being touched by everybody, I know that their skin is a lot thicker and rougher. Must have something to do with magic abilities.'

"Yes?" Isaac spoke to him. He could see out of the carriage and talk through it. The sound floated in and out just fine.

"What was the sound? Are you in need of any help?" The man asked.

"Why do you care?" Isaac asked.

"It's my job to escort you safely to the palace." The guard smiled. "It is a little embarrassing, but this is my first job, so I want to do well!" He blushed.

Isaac then looked before him towards the container of dumplings. He grabbed it and dipped a bit of the liquid that Tina gave him onto them. He then reached his hand through the window.

"Whats your name? Want some?" He offered, taking the lid off.

"Call me guard, and no I'm on duty."

Isaac then poked his head out.

"Oh c'mon friend! It doesn't seem like we will be getting there anytime soon! Aren't you hungry?" He gave him a wide smile. "I mean, I'm sure the trip here was daunting."

"A-alright..." Guard reached out and took one out of the container. He was weary, but Isaac seemed like such a nice guy.

He then took a bite out of it as the black-haired boy watched with hawk eyes.

Silence followed. All that was heard was the sound of horses walking.

*BLERGH!*

Suddenly, Gaurd threw up his guts and the blood got all over his horse. It got startled and immediately jumped up.

"NEIGHHHH!!!"

He fell off and hit his head on a tiny-but sharp rock under him and died. His horse, on the other hand, ran off, startling the others as well. They all went into panic mode before the driver waved his hand over them.

"SOMMUS!"

He yelled a foreign word before the horses collapsed and the carriage with them. Isaac hopped out before it could hit the ground and jogged to the side.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry about that! I don't know what happened.." The carriage driver scrambled to help his horses.

Meanwhile, Isaac walked back and looked down at the guard. His eyes were sharp and deadly.

'So it was poisoned, after all.'