I stared at the sunset of my third day on this new world. I finally had some knowledge about this new world. To say this world's history was interesting would be to say that WOW was light on lore. The book had kept me up for a good while before Lightning threw a pillow at me to turn my lantirn off.

To start off with there were apparently three main kinds of humans on this world. They were called Unicorns, Pegasus, and Terran. I know, one of my skills is Terra Bane and there is a race called Terran. Well how they got those names is even weirder. According to history/believed humanity was visited near the beginnings of their existence by three powerful spirits. No prizes for guessing what those spirits were. Each one appeared before different kingdoms and bestowed gifts to the people of those lands.

The Unicorn gave the gift of greater control of magic to those of Mountain Kingdom. They were born with a focus crystal that grew with them and were connected to them in some special way. Nobody could figure out how they were connected to the individual only that no one could use somebody else's crystal. Thanks to gift they were able to use magic and pull off powerful feats that the other races couldn’t.

The Pegasus gave the those it found the gift of the ability to walk among the clouds. Those bestowed with this ability were quick to make their own kingdom in the very clouds they could now control like sculptures of the sky. A pegasus’s wings were generally appeared located near their heels and generally were almost impossible to injure permanently except by damaging a very specific part of the back where it was believed the magic cluster that powered the wings was located.

The Horse bestowed those of the plains with sturdiness and a greater connection to the ground. They were quick to call them selfless Terrans after the gifts bestowed to them. The greater connection to ground allowed them to easily find the best places to farm or hunt for food. The sturdiness allowed them travel great distances with ease.

Originally the three were standoffish against each other believing they were superior to the other thanks to the gifts given to them by the spirit they were visited by. The mounting tension eventually lead to an invasion by Wendigos. Unlike their Native American counterparts these Wendigos brought fierce freezing winds and feed of hatred, conflicts, and the souls of those caught by their winds. Surprisingly the were beaten back by three members of the races joining together and creating this world's version of Christmas called Heart Warmings.

I’m gererizing here because despite it having some sections that of a comic book it was a lie. Most of it was actually walls of words that ate up entire pages. It made my head very hurty to look at for more than any given length of time. The only other important thing I could tell that happened was the introduction of the forth race.

This race said why not both for all three races. The had the magic and foci crystal of the Unicorns. The flight and weather control from the Pegasus. And finally the sturdiness and connection to earth of the Terrans. In simple terms they were Demigods among mortals. I wasn’t far off sense the most prominent Alicorn, the forth race, Celestia raised the moon and sun. I mean according to the children stories there used to be another Alicorn who raised the moon but despite my best searching I could not come across a name besides Nightmare Moon. And while I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility, because generally in these types of situations all myths are true, I’m not putting much stock in it.

The final thing I had learned was the predominant religion of this world. That of Faustism. I know I hit my head against the book I was reading when I learned of this fact. Faustism was the worship of the Goddess Faust who was one of the major Gods that helped to create this world. I would inform you more of Powerpuff religion but I couldn’t get past the first two pages without hitting myself with the book.

Now this lead me to two conclusions. First the Faust was just coincidentally the same name. Kind of like showing up at a salon where your barber has the same name as you. Second was that Lauren Faust somehow made the greatest Faustian bargain in the world, became a Goddess, made this world I’m stuck in, and is now laughing about it somewhere with her husband who is no doubt doing the same with another world where the religion is no doubt Wander Over Yonder.

For my sanity I’m sticking with the first option. So with my head held high, after being cleared by the kind medics, I had returned the books back to Captain Shining Armor. Which leads me to my current situation.

“Good to see a traveler like yourself at least knows how to hammer in a nail.” Faint praise made its way over to me. Turns out Shining Armor was not joking about me and Lightning having to fix the help fix the damage of our spar. So here I was applying magic nails to the flying boat. Don’t ask me how hitting large cuts in ships fixes it but somehow it is.

“Where’s my compliments.” Lightning shouted as she lazily whipped a mop back and forth to clean up the burn marks.

“When you actually start working. Civie boy here is almost done and he had twice as much to do.” Our project manager yelled at her to which she just shrugged.

“I think you’re just picking favorites.” You know I don’t think I’ve seen her put the mop in the water bucket. She’s just been standing there shooting the breeze.

I felt a witty retort start to raise up in me before my brain realized how dumb it was and killed it. The guard watching us just let out a soft growl. “Listen Dust if you think I’m going to put up with your crap just because your one of Sunset’s little pets your dead wrong. Exploration or not you still wear the Night Guard uniform. Don’t disgrace it.” Damn it’s getting tense here better hurry and finish. Oh look, it’s amazing what you can get done when you want to get out two peoples ways.

“I’m done sir, May I be excused, sir.” Can never have to few sirs when talking to military personnel. I think, I really need to brush up on my military talk. Maybe watch Full Metal Jacket when I get a chance.

The soldier stopped his glare at Lightning before turning his statue gaze to me. He seemed to examine it for a awhile before nodding his head. “It’s acceptable. Go down they’re starting dinner soon.” Acceptable is still good enough. I turned to Lightning seeing still slowly moving her mop. “Think about helping her and I’ll have you doing pushups till your biceps explode.” With that threat I left her slowly mopping the spot.

Heading down I slowly made my way to the Mess Hall. Now this brought up a thought I thought I never thought I’d have. How did I know the way to the Mess Hall like it was the back of my hand. Don’t get me wrong I’m not directionally challenged but I had only been there once and that was yesterday. All the other times I had eaten in this world was when the meals were brought to me.

‘It's the Demons,’ my mind hazard a guess. It made sense in a way, once again, in the game you were provided a minimap. So which demon was it that was doing this. My mind only came up with two possibles, one logical and the other concerning. At the moment I was only linked to one demon, Comet. She had let me see the hidden doors so maybe her powers were what’s letting me have the map ability to. But the main character always had this ability so the only other option was the demon you always had, Terra. If this was true then it would mean I now knew he was if I didn’t have his key yet I had the ability he might supply. He was inside of me and not in the gay way.

‘Calm down, it’s only a theory right now. We need to focus on more pressing matters.’ My mind again asserted itself. It was right after all. Even if Terra was inside my soul I was still in control and there was no way I was going to lose to some Doll.

“Whoa you actually finished your job.” Zap asked as my legs still walked me into the Mess Hall.

“Yeah why wouldn’t I have?” The question left my mouth as once again my legs walked with a mind of their own. They moved me to the serving area where hot steaming food was laid out. Huh, seems either media once again lied to me or this was another difference between this world's military and home worlds.

“Oh, just thought you might wait it out until the self repair or self cleaning activated.” As my body was still moving grabbing whatever it thought looked good my mouth once again betrayed me.

“So that’s what Lightning is waiting for.” The traitor mumbled despite my protest.
“Yeah the trick is to be discreet enough so the commander doesn't catch on.” Another voice cut in from the entrance. Turning slightly I saw Shining Armor stride in and grab a plate. “Though she’s cutting it rather close if you ask me.”

“Dust’s an adrenaline junkie, if it’s not down to wire or have some risk then it’s not worth it to her.” Zap replied pulling me to her table when I tried walking by. “Probably the only reason she was so reckless fighting you. Thought you weren’t as good as you were or she might not have pulled the big guns so soon.” First the unintinal insult burned me oh it did. Second why was she making me sit with her.

“Indigo you can’t force people to sit and play with you.” Shining said as he to sat at the table across from the Night Guard. As I moved the spoon I had toward the soup mix I grabbed I noticed that Indigo Zap didn’t have a tray ladened with food but a deck of cards and dice around her.

“Oh no the Captain of the guard knows about my illegal gambling ring whatever shall I do?” Man women could give my theater teacher a run for mouny with that overacting. BTW this soup is amazing. So rich in flavor

“Well I have a list of guards complaining about complaining about you so what have you guys been betting?” Man was good at sounding both resigned and yet still stern. And oh my god this broth is amazing it was like the flavors were exploding in my mouth only to reveal more of their goodness.

“Oh nothing much just some chores, mouny, favors, you know the usual.” Women sounded more confident and relaxed then she had any right to. My hand moved to the drink I had grabbed while I watched the conflict.

“Unfortunately I do, in case you forgot this isn’t the first time we had this conversation.” Well this explains why they’re so relaxed about this conversion. Huh, wonder how many times they had done this song and dance.

“Oh, how could I forget. So usually agreement then? You win I forget about your guards debts I win they keep doing all my chores for the next four months.” Zap said passing cards between her and Shining.

“I don’t even know why we keep doing this. My men should really learn to stand for themselves.” Shining mumbled looking at each card as it was tossed to him and laying them out at different points on the table. Hmm, this okay in the drink department I would rank it somewhere between Mountain Dew and Sprite.

“Hey not my fault they never learned how to step up their game. Besides your one of the few people left that provides me a challenge anymore.” After Zap had tossed the cards they both pulled out pocket notebooks and grabbed dice from the pile. I was both confused yet entranced as I took another sip from my cup.

“Let’s Duel!” They both yelled at each other while flipping open their books while flipping over their center cards causing the table to change into a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes.. Holy shit this is getting trippy, hopefully I shall come to understand this game soon.

Ten minutes later I understood nothing yet I was highly entertained. “My Klaxion King hits your outpost and thus lets me conquare that section of your land!” The good captain said thrusting his arm forward as a red demon dwarf decked out in the most ridiculous wardrobe ever followed his command. Turns out this game was some combination of Yugioh, Fire Emblem, and Risk.

“Hah did you never question why I left it open to attack?” Indigo darkly chuckled as the area the King was standing on slowly started turning a deep purple and sink into itself.

“What?” Shining asked in shock as one of his key troops fell into a pit as the ground renit itself above him.

“Like it? It’s one of my new traps called Abyssmall Hole. It activates on the third turn of it being set so you hadn’t been so quick to act then it would have destroyed my own settlement.” Indigo actually did the Kiba pose and laugh at seeing Shining still staring at his now gone King.

See like I said no idea but so entertaining. Then again not knowing seems to be making it funner. “Wait didn’t he cast a Divine Return Abyss spell two turns back which would mean he could either bring back now Klaxion King or Klaxion Forgotten Knight?” I questioned trying to remember this fever dream of a game. They both slowly turned to me as if they had forgotten I was there. Then again they were pretty into this game.

Indigo only needed two seconds to process what I said before her face turned whiter than a fresh layer of snow. Shining on the other hand started smiling brighter. “Indeed I did and I still have one move left this turn. I’ll start with moving my Klaxion Tactician into place.” Shining no doubt was laying out a brilliant strategy but my mind was quick to tune him out and instead focus on the board. It seemed I didn’t have long to watch as Shining’s red dwarfs started overrunning Indigo’s small fortress ending the game, somehow.

“Look like that’s game.” Shining said standing up and returning his tray to the front.

“Not fair, you got help.” The blue haired girl glared at me before a smile slowly crept on her face. In response to that creepy look all I did was take another sip. “Hey Oz how about a go?”

“Would love to but I just don’t know how to play. I would be up to a game of poker though.” My mouth responded before I silenced it by

“Sounds reasonable, so what you betting,” Indigo asked quickly putting away the cards she and Shining were using earlier. I found myself quickly checking my pockets before my hand slipped into the bag I had bought from the Merchant. Throughout all of my adventures so far it had stayed firmly attached to my belt a little behind my legs. My hand firmly grasped onto something in the bag which I pulled out. It was an old looking key. It was black enough that appeared to consume the light around it.

I knew this key. This was supposed to be Terra’s key but it did not house the demon it was at the moment an empty vessel. “You betting that?” Lightning questioned to which I just shook my head and put it on the table and again reached behind me to find something else to bet. Digging into the bag I pulled out a few small gems. They were a brilliant white with one depicting a sword stuck in a stone, another was a piercing spear, and two of the gems showed a notched bow. Indigo let out a whistle showing her and Shining staring at the the gems I had placed on the counter. “Please tell me your betting those.”

I found myself nodding, after all these things would just take up space if there were no circles to use them on. “So what are you betting?” I asked as she started tossing out cards.

“Well seeing what you just bet the only thing I could offer would be those numbers you never got.” Indigo teased with a Cheshire grin on her face. It seemed she was attempting to troll someone from the internet age. There was only one response you could give to this.

“Well then I’ll have to raise you.” I said pulling out another gem. This one had a red base that glowed with an inner light and on the top sat a gold circle that reflected the lights. Indigo started slack jawed at the the two gems as I laid them out on the table I even heard Shining let out a whistle but didn’t move my head to check.

“If your raising then I’ll bet… one favor.” Indigo pulled out two sheets of paper then tossed them into the center next to my gems. She then proceeded to tap the deck which started dealing out cards to the both of us. While Indigo picked up each card that was dealt to her I let mine pile up. It seemed that this poker game would be the five card hold type often seen in Looney toons or in some movies. Once they had been dealt I started to move to pick mine up before Indigo stopped me. “I raise to two favors.”

Another wad of paper was tossed into the pile now growing in the center. On reflex my hand pulled out another two bow gems. Meaning I matched her. She didn’t seem to realize that I still hadn’t looked at my hand, like at all, didn’t even know what suites I had in there. Once again I moved for my hand only for the ship to lurch forward causing me to slam my hands on the table.

“What the hell are you guys doing up there!” Turning I saw Shining enter full Commander mode as he yelled into a microphone that was attached to the wall. It looked kind of like the ones you would see in schools now that I looked at it.

“Sorry captain we hit a bit of wind.” A voice responded. “It wasn’t on any of the weather schedule.” That seemed to make Shining even more mad. There was a bit of shuffling on the other end. “We’re going to stick with it for a while if that’s alright with you captain. It should allow us to arrive at our destination early.”

Obviously thinking long and hard about it he finally responded. “Very well but first sign of trouble we get out.” He ended the call before started to mutter to himself something about Wonderbolts and Weather teams.

“Ah come on Armor relax. This isn’t something new for them to pull.” Indigo said before grinning to me. Crap back in attention. I nearly ripped my hand of the table to make it look like I wasn’t eavesdropping. Seeing movement my jaw went limp as Indigo layed down a royal house party. Three Kings and two Queens. “How about helping me figure out what to do with my new rock collection.”

“Sure maybe I’ll take a couple from you.” Taking back his seat I glanced down at my hand to see what I had.

“Well you definitely won all I got is two pair.” Indigo had the most shit eating grin in the world as she examined the bow gem. “See a pair of aces and another pair of aces.” With that I showed them the twin pair I held. With all the cards on the table I moved forward and pulled the gem from her loose grip. “Mine.”

As the gems moved to my empty side of the table the cards were taken by Shining who started reshuffling. “Hey maybe you could win these back.” I know sore winner but with how she was acting I felt it was deserved. Her answer was to growl at me and angrily to start picking up her cards. Thanks to the superstition I didn’t move to pick up mine and instead look at the gems and paper on my side. Wait wasn’t something missing.

****

The key slid down a hole in the ship which was used to dispose of waste by a lazy chief. It would seal itself soon so no one thought about it to much. But as the key fell it felt the connection to its master start to wane. It was supposed to support him and it would serve its purpose so drawing on some of his demonic power it wrapped itself in it to return to his side.

But instead a tear in reality drew it in at the detection of energy not native to this land. As it disappeared from this world the energy it wrapped itself in changed for it would now serve a purpose closer to the others. As it was drawn deeper into the void and near other objects such as a silver pocket watch, a pair of gloves, a boot, a vial of mysterious goo, and a mask it released a call. I am He Who Gazes at Demons, Oz. If you are in need of a Friend or Ally you nearly need to call and I shall arrive with sword and shield to assist you in your time of need!

Its Master will be so pleased that it had served its purpose he might even praise him and reward him with some nice polish.

Author's Notes:

So so sorry about this. I don't know how this was originally uploaded in the state it was in or how I didn't catch it until now. But here is the full version so please enjoy.