The sun was just beginning to set when the capital city of Evendale came into view. And to Jack, it didn't just come into view—it exploded onto the horizon.
Towering spires of polished stone shimmered gold in the light, and the massive outer walls stretched as far as the eye could see. Streets gleamed with runes woven into the cobblestone itself. Floating lanterns lit the skies. And unlike Porthaven, this place didn't feel like a medieval town—it felt like a kingdom from a fantasy movie with a production budget too high to make sense.
"Woah..." Jack blinked as their wagon passed through the gates. "Did we just time travel forward now?"
Arabella smirked. "Welcome to Evendale."
Even Beatrice looked slightly impressed, though she tried to hide it. "It's not that special."
Howard and Harold sat up front, steering the wagon, both of them wide-eyed.
"This place makes Porthaven look like a barn," Harold muttered.
"And this is why nobles always act like their boots are made of gold," Howard added.
As they rode deeper into the capital, something strange started happening. People were gathered in the streets—hundreds of them. They weren't shouting or throwing confetti. They were just... watching. Lining the sidewalks, staring at the wagon. Whispering. Pointing. Holding their children up to see through the windows.
Jack leaned back. "Are we famous now or something?"
"They know," Beatrice muttered beside him. "Selvarra must've sent word. The capital knows the last hero has arrived."
"You guys keep calling me that. Hero. I literally coded JavaScript like a month ago."
Arabella smiled softly. "Then start learning a new script."
The wagon finally pulled into the enormous field in front of the royal palace. And field might've been an understatement. It was more like a training ground large enough for an army—and sure enough, soldiers lined the edge of it in ceremonial armor, forming a corridor.
And at the far end—on a raised balcony overlooking it all—sat the Royal Family of Eldoria. The Queen, in her jeweled gown. The King, proud and stern. Beside them stood a young man and woman—clearly the Prince and Princess, dressed in regal white and silver.
"I feel like I just walked into a final boss cutscene," Jack whispered.
"Just don't trip," Beatrice muttered as the wagon stopped.
Selvarra, already waiting in the distance, gave them a wave from above, hovering just a few feet off the ground.
"Good luck!" she called cheerfully. "Try not to embarrass yourselves in front of the King!"
"Thanks, no pressure," Jack mumbled.
The group stepped down from the carriage and began walking forward, the eyes of thousands fixed on them. Jack's footsteps echoed louder than they should've. And then he saw them—five figures standing ahead, arranged in a neat line.
Three guys. Two girls.
Each of them wore ornate clothing—robes and armor that clearly marked them as honored guests, not prisoners. They looked... confident. Collected. Some of them even smiled when they saw Jack approach.
One guy had red streaks in his hair and a faint glow around his hands—clearly fire. Another had silver tattoos that shimmered like ice. A girl with a long cloak stood with a faint storm breeze around her feet, while the other had golden eyes that shimmered with light. The last guy—tall and quiet—stood in a black coat, his shadow stretching a little too long behind him.
And now, the sixth one had arrived.
Jack Craneson, the outsider. The one who didn't glow. The one without armor or a cool elemental aura. Just a guy in mismatched traveling clothes and tired sneakers.
But somehow… all eyes were still on him.
He gave a sheepish wave.
"Hey. Uh… I'm Jack."
Jack slowed his steps as he approached the five figures ahead of him, feeling the weight of every single stare on his back. The rest of his group—Arabella, Beatrice, Harold, and Howard—stopped a few paces behind, giving him space. This was his moment. The final piece to the puzzle.
Jack swallowed and looked at the five.
They looked... familiar. Not personally, but in a way that hit him hard in the chest. They had the faces of his world. The real world. Earth. And for a moment, it didn't feel like he was standing in some magical royal courtyard surrounded by armies and kings—it felt like he was back on campus, walking into a study group full of strangers who somehow felt like home.
The first guy, standing confidently with a relaxed grin, was a Black guy, tall and broad-shouldered, with warm eyes and a fade sharp enough to slice through a watermelon. Jack stared for a moment.
Damn. He kinda looks like Michael B. Jordan...
Next to him was a tall white guy—blonde, clean-cut, with that natural charm that made Jack instinctively self-conscious. Of course, Jack thought. There had to be one guy who looks like he models cologne ads for a living.
Then there was a younger guy, probably 18 or 19 at most. He looked Hispanic—tan skin, short, wavy hair, and a mischievous glint in his eyes like he was always one bad idea away from detention.
The girl standing beside him had striking blue eyes and long black hair, tied loosely behind her shoulders. Her figure was graceful and athletic, and something about her face reminded Jack of Nico Robin from One Piece.
"She kinda looks Russian," he mumbled to himself, "and possibly deadly."
And the last girl... her features were soft and elegant, a beautiful mix that made Jack pause. Fair-skinned, but with something distinctly Asian in her eyes and jawline. She had that quiet confidence in the way she stood—like she knew more than she let on.
The tall Black guy stepped forward first and extended a hand, his voice deep and friendly.
"Name's Andre McCollum. From the U.S."
Jack shook his hand, nodding slowly. "Jack Craneson. Also... U.S."
The blonde guy followed, giving a casual nod. "Austin Michaels, England."
Jack raised a brow. "Of course you are."
Austin smirked. "I get that a lot."
Then came the younger Hispanic guy, grinning wide. "Enrico Mateo, España. Don't let the baby face fool you—I bite."
"Noted," Jack muttered, slightly alarmed.
The tall, Russian-looking girl gave a nod, her tone calm and cool. "Natalya Volker. Russia."
Jack tried not to look like a fanboy meeting a celebrity. "Right. Awesome."
Finally, the mixed-race girl stepped forward, her voice soft but clear. "Sofia Amalia. California."
Jack gave a small nod to them all, then took a deep breath.
"Okay," he said, glancing around. "So... we've got fire powers, ice powers, storm winds, shadows, and light."
They all nodded or gave subtle signs of their respective gifts.
"And me?" Jack smiled faintly. "I have... a phone with no battery, a hoodie that smells like horse, and a talent for talking out of my butt."
Andre grinned. "Hey, you're still breathing. That means you made it."
Sofia tilted her head. "They say you're the last one. Why so late?"
Jack looked back at his companions—Arabella watching quietly, Beatrice pretending not to care but clearly listening, and Harold and Howard already sizing up the new arrivals like suspicious bodyguards.
"Long story," he said. "But I guess... I'm here now."
Jack was just about to say something halfway meaningful when a sudden snap hit his brain like a light switch.
His eyes squinted at the girl with the gentle smile and confident posture. "Wait... hold up. Sofia Amalia?"
She raised a brow. "Yeah?"
Jack tilted his head. "Are you—like—famous on TikTok or something?"
Sofia blinked in surprise. "I... used to be, I guess? I posted dance covers and mini vlogs. Had, like, a few million followers before—y'know, magic portal."
Andre chuckled and slapped Jack lightly on the shoulder. "Bro, she's not lying. She was everywhere back in the day. My sister was obsessed."
Jack's jaw dropped. "No cap?! You're that Sofia Amalia? Yo—I'm a fan. I used to watch your little 'day in the life' vids while skipping calculus. That one video where you spilled Starbucks on your dog's head? Classic."
Sofia laughed. "Wow. I didn't think I'd ever hear about that again."
Jack turned around to the others behind him. "Guys, I just met my TikTok crush in another world. Somebody pinch me."
Beatrice rolled her eyes hard enough to sprain something. "This is the last hero? Seriously?"
Harold muttered under his breath. "What's a TikTok?"
Howard crossed his arms. "I think it's a kind of clock."
Jack turned back, grinning. "This day just keeps getting weirder—in the best way."
Andre smirked. "Welcome to the team, man."
Jack was still in awe, looking at the group around him. "Okay, this is insane. I literally thought I was the only one going through this whole fantasy fever dream."
Andre chuckled. "Nah man, we've been here like four days already. They gave us a dope room, magic lessons, and weird food that tastes like lavender and regret."
Austin shrugged with a charming grin. "Not bad once you get used to it. We've even met the Royal Family already. You're the last piece of the puzzle."
Enrico smirked. "Bienvenido, hermano. About time."
Jack blinked. "Wait—so you all just accepted this hero thing? No existential crisis? No therapy sessions?"
Natalya, calm and elegant, replied, "Plenty of questions. But when the Queen herself tells you you've been chosen by fate, you listen."
Sofia nodded. "It's weird, yeah. But it's kind of exciting, too. Like, we actually matter here."
Jack scratched his head, mumbling. "Damn. I still don't even know how to use magic. I made a speaker explode once and people called me a god."
Suddenly, a royal trumpet blared from the side of the grand castle steps. The crowd silenced. A voice echoed from a balcony above—the King of Eldoria, standing tall in his regal robe, flanked by the Queen, Prince, and Princess.
"People of Evendale," the King's voice boomed, calm yet commanding, "the final one has arrived. Today, we declare before the world and the gods above: these six are the chosen heroes of the Eldorian Kingdom!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, echoing through the massive city walls.
Jack stood frozen. "Wait. What?"
Beatrice, from the sidelines, muttered with a smirk, "And there it is."
Jack turned to the others. "You guys knew?!"
Andre clapped him on the back. "Bro, we had a whole feast and a magic demonstration. You're late to your own party."
Jack exhaled. "I didn't even get cake."
As the deafening cheers filled the courtyard, Jack stood stiff, blinking under the weight of the moment.
"I—uh. Hero? Me?" he muttered, pointing at himself like there was someone else behind him.
Arabella leaned from the sidelines, grinning. "Took them long enough."
Beatrice, arms crossed, added with a half-smile, "Don't faint now, oh Chosen One."
Howard and Harold just nodded in sync, Howard muttering, "Guess the quiet's over."
Jack turned to the five standing beside him. "So what, they just drop the hero title on you and boom—you're famous?"
"Basically," Sofia said with a smirk. "I've already been asked to bless a baby. Twice."
Enrico laughed. "They gave me a sword made out of pure lightning. No joke."
Jack stared. "What?! I got a bag of bread and a death threat!"
Andre held up a hand. "To be fair, the bread here kinda slaps."
Before Jack could retort, a royal steward stepped forward from the stairs and bowed.
"The Royal Family invites the Six Chosen into the palace. A feast has been prepared in your honor."
Austin gave Jack a nudge. "Looks like you're finally one of us now."
Still a little dazed, Jack followed as the gates to the massive marble palace opened. The crowd parted like a sea, people bowing and tossing petals onto the path.
Jack looked up toward the grand balcony again. The Queen gave him a gentle nod, her golden crown glinting in the sun. Beside her, the Princess offered a warm, curious smile—while the Prince's eyes were sharp and unreadable.
He leaned over to Andre and whispered, "The prince looks like he wants to punch me and tax me at the same time."
Andre whispered back, "Don't worry. He looks at everyone like that."
Behind them, Arabella, Beatrice, Howard, and Harold trailed closely—though Arabella seemed to walk a bit taller than usual. Beatrice kept her gaze on the capital's towers, lips tight.
Howard muttered to Harold, "So, we protecting a literal celebrity now?"
Harold grunted. "Great. Let's hope he doesn't trip in front of royalty."
As they entered the palace gates and the doors began to close behind them, Jack took one final glance at the enormous city around him.
"Guess I'm not in Massachusetts anymore," he whispered.
A new chapter had just begun.