‘Zach told me that the mark would be seared onto my soul.
He warned me about the pain I would experience.
I really should’ve listened.’ These were Fred’s last thoughts as he passed out from the pain.
Zach saw Fred passing out, so he infused his energy into his body.
Fred’s eyes shot open.
“AHHHH ARRGGGHHH!” Fred screamed as he gripped Zach’s hands.
“Welcome back, Fred.
Just let it all out.” “AHHHH I’M GONNA KILL YOUR ASS!
FUCK THIS SHIT HURTS!”
“I know it does, but you need to stay awake for the entire process.
Also, I did warn you AND tried to stop you from going through with this.” Fred didn’t answer because he didn’t want to; he could only scream.
Zach stayed by his side as he went through living hell.
It took ten minutes to finish the marking.
Zach put Fred on the cold floor.
Fred dazedly stared at the ceiling.
Zach didn’t know whether or not he passed out with his eyes open or if he was checking his system.
Zach waved his hands in front of his face and got nothing.
He lifted his arm only for it to fall to the floor.
“Ok, birdie, time for you to wake up and yell at me again.” Zach picked him up and went downstairs to the lowest floor.
Zach waded into the pond and laid Fred down in the water.
He then placed his hand on his chest and head.
“I am going to use everything I got to save you, buddy.” He channeled all of his energy into healing.
Zach watched as Fred’s skin complexion returned to normal.
Fred blinked and gasped for air.
“HOLY SHIT!
I’M ALIVE!” He turned to Zach and hugged him.
Zach hugged him back.
“I am so sorry, man, I didn’t know that was going to happen.” Fred shook his head.
“NO, Zach, it was supposed to happen.
When the mark finished engraving itself onto me, I was transported.
Or is it better to say chosen?
I don’t know.
Anyways, I was brought somewhere and went through a trial of sorts.”
Zach breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Fred.
“Ok, so I guess it’s safe to assume you passed?” Fred nodded his head.
“The trial was scary as hell, but on the bright side, I learned how to use two of my weapons in combat.
I also earned a title and gained the ability to use the dark element.
Don’t worry about buying a breathing technique, I got one during the trial.”
Fred got up and flickered away.
Zach was surprised.
and followed him by teleporting through the formation.
Fred was in the armory looking for new weapons.
“I am replacing my short-swords and wires.
They got absolutely destroyed during the trials.” Zach nodded and watched him move.
‘The way he moves is different.
It’s like he’s here but not at the same time.
And he gives off a different vibe compared to before.’ He spoke as he helped Fred find his replacements.
“What title did you get?” Fred stopped and stood up. Find the original chapter at g.com.
He turned to Zach and rubbed the back of his head.
“The title I got is: Jester of Shadows.
I know it sounds very cringe, so don’t even start.” Fred went back to looking.
Zach coughed in his hand.
“No its uh…interesting.
How did you earn it?”
Fred found a pair of short swords that felt good in his hands and stored them away.
“Truthfully, I am not sure.
The trial was in a dark place, and I was super nervous the entire time, so I kept making jokes with the people around me and fought to stay alive, essentially.”
Fred’s face fell.
“I won’t lie to you, man, it was terrifying.
I saw people and things I never would’ve imagined there.
Not everyone’s trial was the same.
I just needed to make it to a dark cave and stay there until everyone else was finished.”
Zach waited for him to speak again.
“I saw people kill each other, betray their friends, and even sell their souls.
I feel bad for the ones who had to kill or do other things to pass their trials.
I feel like a fraud, to be honest.
I got these powers because of you, and now I have more powers, and the only thing I did was hide.”
Zach placed his hand on his shoulder.
“I am sorry you went through that.” His voice was somber, and the two finished looking in silence.
Fred found a pair of wire gauntlets and stored them away.
“Zach…I don’t regret my decision to get the mark.
When you leave this universe, take me with you, man.
Don’t tell Fred I need someone to watch over the Sanctuary for me.
Blair or someone else you choose can do that.”
Zach gave a small smile.
“You got me, the guilt is eating at me, but since you’ve made your choice and stance clear to me, I will bring you along on all my crazy adventures.” Fred smiled and looked at his system.
“Uh, Zach, what does it mean to be your attendant?”
Zach was confused.
He took out his ambassador’s manual.
The book made a loud thud when it hit the floor.
Fred saw how thick the book was and sucked in air between his teeth.
“What is that monstrosity?”
Zach bent over and picked it up.
Fred looked at him and asked, “How are you even able to lift that thing?” Zach placed it on a table and opened it.
“This is my ambassador manual.” He explained as he searched for the page that explained what an attendant is.
“Found it!
An attendant is a person, object, or place that the ambassador chooses to follow them as they complete their duty.
Their primary duties are: serving the ambassador, supervising their estate or realm, and providing companionship as they do their jobs.
They do NOT have any authority over the ambassador and do NOT represent them or the ALL the ambassador serves.”
Zach looked at Fred.
Fred rubbed his chin.
“Are there any limitations or downsides?” Zach flipped the page.
“An ambassador may only have three attendants and one assistant.
The attendants may marry, take leave, and be compensated, but that is at the discretion of the ambassador they are serving.
If the attendant has children or plans on starting a clan, they must sign a soul contract with the ambassador in the presence of the ALL.”
Before Zach could say anything, he received a notification from his system.
[Detecting Host has appointed his first attendant.
Gained: 45,000oc, one attendant uniform, and one attendant token.] Zach turned to Fred and saw he was smiling at him.
“Oh, come on, Zach.
You think I am going to turn that down?
Besides, I was granted access to the shop, which means I can do missions for the ALL of Nature and still get paid by you.
It’s a win-win.”
Zach just shook his head.
“Yeah, from this point forward, your name isn’t Birdie but Jester, your title is definitely honest.
I am going home.
I have an angry mother to deal with in the morning, and catch,” He threw the uniform and token at him.
“This is your uniform and token.
Always keep these with you.” Zach took back the manual and teleported back home.
Zach opened his eyes and saw his mom sitting on the bed staring at him with wide eyes.
Zach froze and stared back at her.
He broke the silence by raising his hand.
“Hi, Mom.
I promise I can explain.”
Fred went to the first floor and to the pitch-black door.
‘Time to meditate in darkness.’ He shivered and cringed.
‘Aw man, it feels weird just thinking that.’ Fred sat down and closed his eyes.
The dark element surged towards him.
‘This feels good.’ He lost himself in the feeling before he felt like he couldn’t absorb any more.
He stood up and messaged Blair, telling her everything that happened and checking in to see how she was feeling.
She read the messages but didn’t reply.
He went back home.
He didn’t throw up this time around.
‘Nice, looks like the vomit is a one-time thing.
He kicked off his shoe only for it to go through the ceiling.
He panicked and tried to use a poster to cover up the hole.
He ripped it off the wall, but pieces of the wall came with it.
‘SHIT!’ He balled the poster up and threw it aside, but heard a crash and saw his window was broken.
He heard his dad’s voice coming up the stairs.
He sighed and gave up.
He flopped on his bed, and the legs broke beneath him.
He groaned and covered his face.
‘I am so dead.’ He heard his dad open his door.
He looked up and sighed.
“I know how this looks, but I promise I am not an agnst teennager.
I can explain, just hear me out.”
Comment on what you think so far!
It helps to get feedback.
Who do guys think should be the female lead?
I have some ideas floating around