Hero in the Sword

When Luz first woke up, she was ecstatic that it wasn't all just a dream. After arriving in this new world, she and a newly acquainted Eda freed the oppressed and defeated the evil warden together.

Against her better judgment, she took the risk of staying in this magical realm instead of her mother's summer camp. Given the offer to learn magic from the Owl Lady, she was ecstatic to

learn some spells and maybe get her magic staff. Similar to her novels, she envisioned going on dangerous magical quests.

Contrary to her initial beliefs, Eda started her "training" by delivering packages and selling potions in Bonesborough. It was a rough start, accidentally breaking her first sack of products, but she promised not to let Eda down.

She and King ventured into a town she had only seen in her dreams. It was incredible, and to think she was the only human here. Her mind was filled with possibilities. There must be a reason for that, right? What if Luz Noceda, an average teen, had a destiny of greatness like her role model Azura?

Her journey would be like an RPG. Today, she was delivering packages. Down the line, she'll be earning the respect of everyone on the Boiling Isles with her magical prowess. King wasn't as optimistic, saying the Boiling Isles is nothing but a cesspool of despair. In hindsight, being the only human in a magical world made her more vulnerable. In comparison, Azura had already been sent on an enchanted quest.

As if fate answered her wish, she crossed paths with her quest‐granting wizard. The large home and the grand library were very convincing. Luz was willing to take the risk despite the warning that he was a whackjob. The Wizard known as Adegast said there was something unique about her. Thankfully, the presence of scones for King gave her more time to inquire.

In the end, Adegast gave her a quest. A prophecy spoke of someone who would claim the Celestial Staff and free this world from an ancient evil. Luz took the map, wholeheartedly believing she was a Chosen one.

With the food soon gone, the duo left. Unfortunately for the Wizard, the map he gave Luz was a defective copy and would change the course of the realm moving forward.

The Boiling Isles

Enchanted Forest

Luz sighed as she trekked through the wood. Eda and King weren't as supportive as she would like for the endeavor. The Wizard should not be trusted; it was laughable that she had a destiny.

When Eda looked at the map, she said it was bunk. According to her, there's no lake with a Celestial Staff on the Boiling Isles. She would have stolen it ages ago. The only things she'll find out there are the random items lost or from the fallen.

Only when she had time to herself did she find the 'Secret' of the map. Holding the entire map up to the sunlight reveals a message: "The chosen one. The path will only appear to the worthy."

With her newfound resolution, Luz set out on her first mythical quest. She jumps, slides down an incline, and then gets over a fallen log. Following her map, she turns left to avoid an area of thick fog and keeps walking. "Okay. I got my scroll, got my youthful optimism, and got my trusty weapon." She pulled out a plastic toy sword and hits a button on it.

"By the power of Skullgar, I am out of battery." The lights on the sword dimmed as Luz lowered it. It had certainly lowered her mood a bit.

She continued walking for a while longer than she expected. There were times she haphazardly went in a different direction to avoid some large obstacles on the supposed map. It came to a point where Luz grew hesitant. "Maybe Eda and King were right. I might just be getting scammed." However, she came onto a clearing as she pushed through another bush. Unbeknownst to her, she crossed a hidden veil. There was a clearing of many rusted weapons and armor. Her eyes followed their trail leading to a stone. Like the fairy tales back home, a sword was embedded into it. The double-edged sword with a bronze crossguard and handle was plain and unassuming, but the clean blade stood out among the others.

She held up her toy sword and looked back at the real-life blade. If anything, it would be a huge upgrade from what she already had. The others would likely give her tetanus or something. "This is when I trade up from my level one items." She placed both hands on the blade's hilt, ignoring the minor poke in the back of her mind. The instant she attempted to pull the sword, it shone bright, blinding her.

She fell back onto the grass, shielding her eyes. 'Must have been a trap.' She quickly put up her toy sword in a clumsily attempt to protect herself from possible danger. Her eyes closed, and she waited, hoping no danger would pass. After a few seconds, a voice called out to her.

"Excuse me, are you okay?"

Hearing the voice, Luz paused her thoughts. She was still alive. That was promising. She slowly opened her eyes, the remnants of the flash fading away from her vision.

In front of her was a red-headed teen about her age kneeling before her. His only clothes were the back armored pants, sandals, and a red cloth covering only his left arm. He smiled softly at her expression. "I ask of you: Are you my Master?"

Luz stared at the other teen, gobsmacked. "... What?!"