FGI 6: The Palace of Frost

Hiro

I’m breathing hard as my eyes adjust.

What the…

Then…

“Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!” I scream, covering my mouth, seeing a massive corporation buzzing with life. Phones ringing, virtual technology, and people in business attire are running around everywhere.

“It’s REAL!!!!!” I glance to my left and see Pierce. “Ahhhhhh!!” I scream like he is a damn ghost.

Pierce chuckles, hands in his pockets. “Are you okay? Take a breath.”

“AM I OKAY?!” I yell. “THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!” I jump up and down and pounce on Pierce, hugging him around the waist. “Ahhhhh!!!!” I squeeze him harder.

“Well.” I hear a woman’s voice behind me, and I freeze, letting go of Pierce, and note that he smells like some amazing spice. “She is not terrified in the least.”

The color drains from my face as I stare at a stunning woman with lovely gray hair and a white A-line dress with red pumps. “Are you…” I trail off. I quickly glance back at Pierce’s amused expression.

“Is that the Fairy Godmother?!” I whisper, my heart pounding with excitement.

Pierce leans in and whispers, and I can smell mint. “It is.”

“AHHHH!!!” I scream and turn toward her. “Hi! My name is Hiro. Nice to meet you!” This is so amazing! My mind is blown away by this, and my eyes try to take everything in.

I’m actually here.

I cover my mouth, not being able to contain my excitement.

The Fairy Godmother places her hand at her neck, looking past me to Pierce, smiling. “Well, this one does not need convincing.”

“Convincing?” I breathe, “look at this place!” Then I see a woman walking up to us, who is also stunning. “Hi, I’m Hiro.” I smile big, knowing I need to take it down a notch.

Pierce looks at her and signs something on her virtual pad. “Zoya, get the shifter agents into the briefing rooms. We are ready to start.”

The woman named Zoya looks at me with a smile and then at Pierce. “She’s perfect.”

Pierce winks at me. “Let’s go, shall we?”

“YES!!” I lower my voice, “Yes.”

I’m calm.

I’m cool.

I have been ready for this my whole life, and I’m not even sure what this is yet. All I know is that this will be an adventure or something.

A real one!

I can sense it.

I follow him, saying hi to the people I pass, too excited not to. I turn to glance behind me, seeing the Godmother’s amused look. I’m led into a large area with a massive virtual display that has me covering my mouth from how real it looks.

“Oh wow!” I blurt. “Look at that!” I see four women glance in my direction. I nod at them, tamping down my excitement and shock at this situation.

This is real, and I’m not dreaming.

“Drink?” a woman with an FGI nametag on asks.

It’s pink and fizzy.

“No thanks,” I say, looking back at the solar system virtual display. “That looks so real…”

Pierce stands in front with the elegant Fairy Godmother, swiping his hand over his virtual pad. “Hiro, have a seat, please.”

I redden and find an empty seat, my pulse hammering in anticipation. I look at an Asian girl next to me and I smile at her.

“I know who you are,” she whispers, her gaze on my costume that I didn’t get a chance to change out of yet. “You were on the cover of Vogue?” She is pretty with short, A-line, bright red hair.

I nod.

“Can I have everyone’s attention! We finally have all the players, so we can move forward with the next step.” Pierce puts on some black-rimmed glasses with some sort of computer writing on the lenses. “Hiro, you missed introductions, but everyone, this is Hara Hiro.”

I feel eyes on me, and I nod.

“You all will be traveling to the world of Lior.” He looks at everyone.

“This is a captivating world full of light and dark magic. It’s mostly covered in enchanted ice—the cities and structures that inhabit this place are truly breathtaking.

“Though it is still cold, your bodies are accustomed to the cooler temperatures. There are amazing plant life and ocean life here, mystical forests, and plenty of dangers too. You all will be guided accordingly.”

“I hate the cold,” I hear the girl next to me mutter.

Is she crazy!?

I give her an annoyed look.

WE ARE GOING TO ANOTHER PLANET!

Helllllllllllllooooooo!

I cover my mouth, trying to picture this world. Then I see a picture of a massive mountain with a crystal ice castle at the top on the virtual screen.

“Whoa…” I say, my eyes bugging out of my head.

I hear lots of murmurs around the room.

The Fairy Godmother speaks up. “Ladies, as you can see behind me, this place will be very foreign to you all. But you will adjust quickly, I’m sure, so don’t panic.”

I then see pictures of men riding large polar bear creatures like they are horses, making my jaw drop. I feel like I’m looking at a scene from a Hollywood production, not something that could be real.

She continues, “When Fate picks our players, most worlds mirror ours very closely, in fact. Race and ethnic backgrounds play significant roles in who is chosen for each mission.

“For example, if you are of African descent, you will not be a daughter of a couple who does not resemble that. Understand?”

Pierce nods, looking at his virtual pad. “There is a lot of depth and drama to this mission, so pay attention. You will get better details later, but I will touch the surface now.”

“This world very closely mirrors Asian heritage, in a sense, with their way of fighting and fashion—to an extent.”

I think my soul left my body.

Maybe I am dreaming.

“But, strangely enough, the citizens and tribes who resemble the Asian ethnic group here on Earth are becoming extinct, killed off. They are called Aekos—an ancient race of some of the purest bloodlines in this world.”

He continues, “The Aekos people are under attack, and I will explain why in a minute. In Lior, there is the North, South, East, and West, like most worlds share in common.”

“The kings of the North and the South are at odds and have been for quite some time. They are not of Aekos heritage, but of Gaelin—an elven race is the closest I can describe them.”

“Typically Silver-haired or some pale coloring, also trained in the martial way of fighting.” Pierce looks up at us. “I know this is a lot. I hope I’m not confusing you.”

I pipe up. “You’re doing a great job, Pierce,” I blurt with my excitement, then chide myself.

“Listen up. The danger to this world is Queen Maura Latimer of the Western rule of Keaven. She is tainting this world with an evil so great that the North and South are coming together after years of hatred to combat Maura.”

“She has a magic mirror and does utter the words about who is the fairest in the land.”

“Like Snow White!?” a blond-headed girl says, her blue eyes wide. “That’s so cool.”

“Correct, but the fairest in the land is slightly different than what you were taught—it’s more about bloodline. You see, the only way to kill Maura is by a special, enchanted sword that can shatter her precious mirror.”

“Only the purest of Aekos bloodlines can pull the sword from the stone. The chosen one, or so legend has it.”

“Oh wow,” I whisper, “Lots of Disney references, but in a dark and twisted way.” I think out loud sometimes.

“That is why the Akeos are being killed by Maura, because they have the power to use the Sword in the Stone to defeat her.” Pierce takes off his glasses.

“That is the tip of the iceberg, and you will get more details later. Now for the target!”

Fairy Godmother chimes in with a smile.

“King Tedros of the Southern Kingdom of Petra. Handsome and very much a bachelor. To beat Maura, the North and the South must come together—that is the challenge, ladies.”

Lots of murmurs and talking.

I feel like I’m on some high that I will never be able to come back from. I would LOVE a sexy man to have fun with, not ever having a lasting relationship.

I would consider myself a very sexual person. I mean, I am young and full of life—completely natural.

But, my lovers in the past have left me depressed. I’ve never orgasmed from a man before. Just solo missions for me when I’m desperate, ahem.

Cue the violin music.

So, I’m up for anything, really.

Do I want to get married or fall in love?

I’m not sure you understand the pitiful love life I have had, so if this man is any good, I might propose to him myself. Aside from that, the idea of adventure with martial arts is too good to be true.

No more make-believe.

Real...

My body is humming with anticipation.

“Alright, one by one, each of you will put your hands in the Bowl of Destiny! Chop, chop! Line up, everyone.

“This will be your position for the duration of the mission, and you may not change it once it has been given.” The Fairy Godmother says.

We all get in line, and I can’t wipe the silly smile from my face.

I am Asian, so I know I will be an Aekos, but that’s all I know. The Asian girl with red hair is first, and Pierce called her Lola. I watch her place her hands in the silver liquid, and I wait, holding my breath.

The screen reads: Aekos bloodline - Citizen of the Northern Kingdom of Xilleth.

“Very good, the North and South must come together.” Pierce nods. “Next! Blake.”

The cute blond is next and she looks very nervous, slightly pale.

The screen reads: Royalty of the southern Kingdom of Petra.

“Very solid position, Blake! Great standing. Next—Tara.”

She’s a lovely Hispanic girl with pretty golden eyes that might give me some trouble. She is short and curvy and has the same giddy smile that I’m wearing.

The screen reads: Timekeeper of the Southern Kingdom Of Petra.

That one sounds fantastic, a lot of murmurs after that one.

My eyes widen. I am next.

I need to calm myself, center my inner chi.

I take a steady breath as I walk up to the bowl, my heart in my throat. I look up at Pierce, and he nods at me, his blue gaze intense. “Okay,” I say and place my hands in the cool liquid.

The screen reads: Aekos bloodline. Princess of the Northern Kingdom of Xilleth.

My eyes bulge out of my head, rereading it.

“Very nice to land that position, Hiro! Marvelous, just marvelous,” The Fairy Godmother says with a smile.

I can't contain what I feel—a PRINCESS!?

Unreal.

I think I need to sit down.

The last girl named Jenna, with pretty chestnut hair and brown eyes, goes next.

The screen reads: The Kingdom of Petra, Spy.

There is lots of clapping and tons of chatter, questions being asked, and happy shrieks. I’m just trying to slow my heart rate and get a hold of what's happening.

“Now we will split up to our briefing rooms to meet your shifter agents, who will guide you through this new experience,” Pierce says to us all, as a large door to my left opens.

I close my eyes.

Be brave, Hiro.

I’m so ready for this.

So ready.