World Between: Intro

Aaron groaned and answered his phone. “It’s like 4 in the morning.” Aaron stated rubbing his eyes.

“You’re the one who volunteered… And one of the few who didn’t withdraw…” Jared stated. Aaron paused for a moment before a light bulb went on in his brain.

“You actually found a lead?” Aaron questioned. “How did?... wait… didn’t withdraw.” Aaron stated the full impact of Jared’s word finally sinking in. 

“I’ve been studying the…” There was a long pause as Jared looked at the strange items on his desk, and the ripped open package. “Look, assuming you’re coming, we’ve still got a decent sized team, and a lot of questions I can’t really answer.”

“How long can you wait?” Aaron questioned.

“You got time, but not a lot of it.” Jared stated. Hanging up the phone after Aaron had abburtly done so. Jared sighed, and took off his police hat before leaving a note on top of it. The same note that had come with the package. 

There is no one I’ve taken with a want to come back, and it is still that understanding you lack. Play the game then. Keep to your stance, but know there will be no second chance.

Pinned to the board was a list of names with all, but 5 crossed out. Jared was disappointed. All this started only a few months ago, and it seemed like people had already given up. Others said they’ve had some interaction through various technical interfaces, and they seem to think it was fine. As a police officer there wasn’t anything else to be done, which made the 3 days it took people to get to his place seem longer than usual. Finally everyone arrived, and huddled together. Jared followed the instructions to the letter, and, in no time at all, the ritual to open the necessary portal was complete. There was a brief moment of silence before everyone jumped into the void. 
Aaron was the most familiar with the options given to him as they seemed like they came out of a video game. He was done before he could even fully grasp what had happened, and, unceremoniously, dropped onto the floor of what appeared to be a tavern-like building.

“Another one, huh? Just how many of you are gonna come?” A male stranger questioned as he helped Aaron up.

“Just passing through.” He stated just before the sound of metal clanging together on a tray drew the attention of both.

“Sorry. Sorry” A demoness looking figure stated. Her hoof attempting to stomp a loose board down, while balancing the tray easily. “Could’ve sworn we had that fixed.

“You alright there, Sofia?” The stranger replied. “Not like you to lose balance-”

“I’m fine.” Sofia stated rather curtly brushing her long white hair out of her face. Glowing yellow eyes watching both of them. Were it not for that and the red skin of her top half Aaron probably would have assumed she was a faun. The two goat legs and fur starting from the waist down would have suggested as much, if not for the more demonic qualities. “Believe it or not I’m not quite used to people falling into a tavern.” With that she huffed, and walked away.

“Not sure what got into her tonight, but I guess it’s best to give her some space for now. Let old Bertus, here, give ya the welcome.”

“Aaron.” Aaron stated. “Umm.. I don’t suppose anyone else...came in.”

“Oh lots of new people.” Bertus stated. “I don’t think anyone is looking for you though. No one ever seems to be looking for any of the new ones”

“Yeah.” Aaron stated. “That’s why we were coming… I thought it was going to be all of us anyway…”

“No group ever comes through all at once, and no two people have ever spawned the exact same place.” Bertus stated. “I give a few hours, if I were you. Come take a seat with my team. We have been wondering where you’ve all been coming from.” Naturally there were no quick exchanges of information.  The world Aaron had found himself in was no stranger to strangers, however. This dimension had a particular affinity to being a nexus of sorts, and was somewhat known for its natural ability to accept and maintain connections from any other world with ease. Everything that entered blended into a magical, medieval, themed world contrasting the culture, customs, and acceptance of newcomers. It seemed more fitting of something one would imagine in a more modern, or even futuristic, time. But there was a seemingly endless amount of magic, and a massive influx of people with a distaste for the more technical worlds they came from. And a wide variety of, occasionally, hostile, wildlife, which made testing out anything new a mixture of dangerous and difficult.

“Has anyone ever…” Aaron paused as Sofia set some drinks down, and looked at her. She glances over to him. “Mention where they are from?”

“Well, most worlds don’t have the connections our does, so it sort of became a rotation. But there are a few too many places to limit it to just one world at a time. All I know at the moment is that there has been a lot of people coming from where you came from.” Bertus turned to Sofia. “Ya feelin’ better?”

“Yeah. I guess I was a bit rattled. So is there something I can get the new guy?” Sofia questioned looking at Aaron before he looked back at her in confusion. “Some people don’t like questions on an empty stomach apparently.” She shrugged. “Happens more than ya think, but I’ll just come back.” Walking back to the employee lounge before sighing and sitting down. “Happy?”

“What?” Denma looked at Sofia before looking back at their boss who just rolled her eyes, and walked away. Sofia snorted in response.

“Apparently, wanting to avoid people just because they may actually want to drag me back to my old world is being paranoid.”

Denma made sure the door was closed, despite knowing that she just shut it. “You’re sure?”

“No.” Sofia admitted. “But I know exactly who he is,  and where he is from. And it didn’t sound like he planned on staying, which severely limits the options.”

“I can take the table, if you want. I mean I kind of think you're overreacting, as well, but we can at least attempt appeasement.” Denma stated.

“That would just look even weirder than it already does.” Sofia stated standing up. “But good to know you have my back.” She finished sarcastically.

“You have no idea what he is even doing here.” Denma rebutted.

“I have a feeling.” Sofia replied.

“Feelings can be wrong.” Demna stated.

“Yeah, well.” Sofia finished. “We’ll see.”