Nido's eyes blinked open to a ceiling that shimmered.
He was in a room full of gold. Literal gold. Walls, floors, furniture-everything looked like a 7-star hotel suite in Dubai.
But more importantly-sweets.
On the bedside table sat a silver tray stacked with frosted pastries, chocolate cubes, and something suspiciously jelly-filled. Nido, not one to question miracles, grabbed the nearest puff and stuffed it in his mouth.
A door opened. A tall man in gold-trimmed robes entered, eyes widening slightly at the sight of Nido dual-wielding a cookie and a donut.
"His Majesty awaits," the man said, bowing. "Please follow me."
Nido, still munching, stumbled to his feet and followed, sugar-fueled and extremely confused.
They entered a hall room so shiny it hurt. Everything sparkled like someone had dropped a palace into a jewellery store. At the end stood a throne made entirely of gold-actual, blinding, headache-inducing gold. On it sat a man who looked like a Monopoly piece come to life: short, moustached, and dressed in gold from head to toe. He hugged a literal gold brick like it was his childhood plushie.
"Welcome, Hero!" the man boomed. "I am King Gold, ruler of Aurum!"
"...Hero?" Nido echoed, crumbs falling from his mouth.
"You saved us," King Gold declared. "You turned the tide against Loki's giants."
"I-I did?" Nido blinked. "I don't remember anything."
A flicker of wind. A flash of green. A blade of air cutting the sky.
He staggered back. "Wait... that was real?"
"You blacked out," King Gold said gently. "You've been asleep for three days. We kept you safe."
Before Nido could spiral further, the king stood. "But now we must begin. Meet General Au-your mentor in battle."
A towering man in golden armor stepped forward, arms crossed. Face says I never ever joke.
Nido gulped.
"Is everyone here named after gold?"
"Gold is eternal," King Gold said, stroking his mustache with great pride. "And very, very shiny."
General Au cleared his throat, his deep voice cutting through the glittery tension. "You are the boy from the prophecy."
King Gold nodded solemnly, then raised his hand as if quoting scripture.
"From a world not our own, a boy shall rise-chosen by the sword.
Only by Gungnir's strike shall one's fate be sealed,
And only then shall the world be redeemed."
He let the words hang in the air like a sacred echo.
"Loki seeks to gather the four bladeless swords of Odin and reforge Gungnir, the spear of the All-Ruler," King Gold continued, his voice tightening. "With it, he would command the elements, crush all who stand against him... and claim dominion over every realm."
"Okay," Nido said, slowly rising to his feet and brushing off what appeared to be golden glitter from his pants. "This sounds epic and all, but I'm just a guy who failed gym class because I tripped on my own shoelaces. Twice."
"Do not worry," King Gold said, clutching his gold brick like a nervous teddy bear. "Just do your little swish-and-slash again. The sword will guide you."
"What sword?" Nido asked, his voice shaking slightly.
"This one, genius."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO8YR9hrTG
End of Chapter 3.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3c919ECnl
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYft0Hv7sY
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.