The era of the Internet had spead many works of fiction around the world. These works, mainly mangas, manwhas or even light novels often involved some kind of unknown force able to give abilities or transport people from a world to another.

  These works, where strange powers ruled instead of science, were a paradise for those in search of a something else. Sometimes, the setting gave the protagonists skills that could threaten gods, sometimes, misfortune and betrayal, sometimes, a slow and easy life.

  A sub genre of this litterature was the "Returnee" genre. Where people were transported to a game-like world to train in hopes to defeat dangerous entities that would target Earth via dimensional rifts.

  This was fiction. Pure fiction. Only fiction.

  So, what a surprise the world awoke to when a literal video game interface popped up right in front of Earth's eight billion inhabitants. An interface that asked only one question. 'If Earth were to be threatened, would you fight against the threat ?'

  The answer was 'Yes' or 'No' and despite the warnings of the governments and other authorities, people began to answer to the Administrator's question, as shown by the number that decreased each day.

  With that said, the counter wasn't updated in real time. Nobody know how much delay there was, but TV had shown people answering positively to the question without the number going down for ten minutes.

  "We're close. Less than a hundred votes left. Mom's too scared to allow Jeanne to answer, what about you Pierre ?"

  "Well I already clicked on Yes. I'm part of the GIGN, Paul. Defending the country is my stuff already. My higher ups haven't saying anything but I bet my ass they want at bunch of their men to say yes, just to show to the world the French still have a fiery battle spirit.

  But I still can't believe you're twenty-four and your mom doesn't let her click on a fucking button. That's craaaaazy. "

  "I mean. Dad almost clicked without any second thoughts and that scared her. I think Jeanne wants to do it... But I'm not sure."

  "Your choice man. But you better decide for yourselves."

  "I guess I guess. Anyway, I'm opening the shop in a few minutes. I better get back before I leave the baguettes to burn. Besides I have to take my pills. "

  "Sure sure. Take care, both of you."

  Sigh...

  Another day, another pill.

  24 years old. 1.80 meters. Unkempt yet impeccable black hair in a bob cut. I'm just another guy working at a café. Life's peaceful, not too hard, not to easy. A little strange since that weird translucent window appeared a week ago, but that's fine.

  "Bonjour Paul. How's it going ? You're the one opening the shop today." a trembling but powerful voice reached my ears. I turned around, facing a grandpa-looking guy wearing a turtle-neck sweater and a beret.

  A regular at the café. He and his wife always ordered macchiato at 6:30 AM and stayed until 9:30 to chat with the staff.

  "Yo Mr. Chevalier. I'm doing fine. Your wife isn't here with you today ?"

  "We had an argument. I clicked on that damn button and now she's freaking out. Damn woman! Can you believe it ! I'm 68 but I still have fire in me ! I was in the military ! I can still defend the country !"

  "Ahhh, I don't know if I want to click to be honest. Scientists still haven't figured out what this whole thing was. And besides... the number is decreasing day by day."

  "That's right. You have family. Margaret and I are alone so I don't care what happens. If I can die before my cancer catches up to me, I'm fine. Deep down, Margaret must know this too. She knows I don't want to kneel to some disease."

  "Always fighting your battles, Mr. Chevalier. I'm envious."

  "Bah ! Don't be envious. Be like me instead, fight your battles too. You youngsters are always complaining. Always with your tik tok and instagram." the old man faked an outburst with his cane in the air.

  He knew I didn't use those apps. But he still teased me about it and despite his comment, he was very much into social media too. He often says that 'whoever criticizes the present and its flaws has no right to praise the past, for it was just as flawed'.

  "One macchiato ready."

  "Thanks kiddo. I won't stay for today. The place has been unusually busy since the start of the week. See you tomorrow."

  I watched as Mr. Chevalier disappeared in the crowd of pedestrians. He was right. More and more people were taking this street, and that meant more clients. Something about a street having a gas leak.

  Hm... Be like me instead, fight your battles too.

  Just a choice...

  Yes. I would.

  WHAT ?!

  At exactly 7:14 AM of that day, satellites all over the world picked up an unknown, powerful radio-wave that crashed into Earth. At the same time, pillars of light erupted from the ground, blinding bystanders and causing chaos all over the planet.

  When the world got to its senses, a thousand people had vanished from the surface of the Earth.

  Welcome to the Prologue, Candidates. I am the Administrator. I was tasked by the System to select you, individuals who wish to protect your planet. My task here is complete.

  We will meet again in five years, when the challenges that face you will be trampled on.

  Farewell Administrator. Thank you for your cooperation. I will take over from now on. Another booming, yet less oppressing voice resonated in the air, reaching the ears of a thousand dumbfounded earthlings.

  Forgive me for summoning you here, Earthlings who responded to the call of the Universe. I am The System. I would define myself as... a cousin of the Gods you know of. The Administrator is another of our kind...

  As you can see and deduct, The Administrator transported you in another realm. One where death is a foreign concept for Candidates. My goal will be to nurture you into entities that surpass the limits of your species, by giving you powers. Some of you will catch the attention of other beings just as powerful as me.

  And a tiny amount of you may even reach a state only lower to ours, should your power grow strong enough.

  However, do know...

  These powers, come at a cost. You will have to train in the vast lands you can observe. Much like in a video game, there are creatures you will have to learn to defeat, objects you will learn to craft and repair, abilities you will learn and train.

  These powers are not given. You answered a call. The call to protect your world.

  Train. Become strong, Earthlings.

  Starting from the fourth year, we will send back some individuals back to Earth. We will manifest there again when the first one among you will catch the attention of A Star. You will know when that happens. Do not worry.

  I will accompany you during these first days. Now, think about acquaintances who responded to the call alongside you. I will transfer you to them while I dispatch you in this world.

  Try to form groups and reunite as one. I wish you good luck. Candidates.

  That was it. In the blink of the eyes, I was standing next to Mr. Chevalier, who was dressed in wizard robes, with a thick book in his right hand, and Pierre, still in his GIGN uniform, rifle and equipment included. For some reason, Mr. Chevalier was completely fine. No joint pains, no trembling voice, no sign of old age.

  "Ahah ! I feel like I'm twenty again ! Oh boy ! That feels so good to move again !"

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Meanwhile, Pierre and I hurried to brainstorm the situation. Pierre was very reliable in times of crisis. He had to deal with hostage situations and other kind of messed up stuff.

  "This is going to be a wild ride, won't it ?"

  "For sure" he answered as we fist-bumped.

  -

  "Mages ! Get us some support fire ! The Vanguard's about to be breached !" We can't let them through !"

  Kurm' Shtar Kaa' Leee !

  "Blazing Black ! Kill this Orc ! He's about to charge in !" "Healing on the way !"

  "Tremor of Gaia !"

  The green mass of flesh and muscles, clad in copper armor charged through the hordes of goblins, tanking fireballs, earth spikes and thunder-strikes until it fell into a pitfall along with other countless monstrous entities. Even then, its powerful voice could be heard among the other creatures' cries.

  Kurm' kalo kaar...

  The other entities, after seeing their strongest fall into a trap, fell into chaos and retreated, chased by the Vanguard of the Awakeners. Some other remained to repair the camp and the fortress.

  "Old man. Still examining Orcs ?"

  Hm. Who was this guy then again ? Right. Leo the SpearFlame. A cocky-looking teen with tremendous power in the form of an obsidian lance he could summon at will. This same lance could erupt like a volcano to send lava at his foes. Despite his thug-like appearance, he was kind and understanding.

  "I am. I still cannot understand how these fake beings can look so real."

  "I wonder how The System and The Administrator manage to create such a life-like environment. It really feels like we're in a fantasy novel at some times." he muttered while raising his arm in the air. "I mean one of the guy you're always with... Pierre. He can strengthen us to the point we can lift boulders. The other can become a dragon-man."

  "Indeed. And my cancer has been magically cured. Tell me young Leo. You were among the ones who were sent to the far North. How was it ? I would like to record your experience in one of my tomes."

  "Well. Ruins. Lots of ruins. Scriptures that spoke about the Stars. What we could become. We decided to pick some of them to read. Not a lot of other resources. This was a barren wasteland.

  But... There were many enemies. Beasts more grotesque than everything we've seen yet. Insects. Not that much more powerful than what we have right now. To be honest, it feels like we're stagnating. Nobody is getting anymore stronger apart from the ones who keep training."

  "You spoke about scriptures. This might be interesting to me. Do you remember where you put them ?"

  "Oh right. You've got some skill that requires books, right ? I think we put them in the temple of the Sagittarius."

  "Thank you Leo. I'll be on my way now."

  ... Hopefully these can aid us to understand what we're against. It has been almost two years...

  -

  "Mr. Pierre. This is worrying. As you asked, I went around the other fortresses Awakeners have built. All of us, we've reach a point of stagnation. We're not progressing any further. Even the strongest among us. You, Buster, Lightyear. Even Nidhogg has stopped growing. But he's still out there wrecking whatever entity there is left..."

  "Even Paul you say. But I assume he's still leagues above the rest of us, am I right ?"

  "I- yes. I assume so. When I arrived he was tearing a mountain apart with his claws. Even with your buffs, I don't think even Buster can achieve this."

  "We've been here for two years already. And no signs of the System allowing us to start fighting stronger beings. Annoying. Even though some of us became Apostles of the Stars already."

  ROAAAR-

  "Let Nidhogg handle it !"

  "Fall back !"

  "Don't get caught up !"

  "Uwargh-" "You bitc-"

  "Go !-"

  "Shielders at the ready ! Brace for impact ! The rest is coming !"

  "Yeaaaaah !"

  "We stand ! By the Prideful Star, The Lion !-"

  A wave of energy hit the Awakeners at the ready behind their shield. Strength filled their every muscle and they stood strong as the distorted reptilian figures crashed into the man-made rampart. Soon, spells and blades clashing filled the air with a cacophony of noises and hissing.

  A few months ago, the System made itself known once again. The first batch of Awakeners were ready to be sent back to Earth it said. By the time, most of the thousand people had stopped counting time. Most of them had stopped caring.

  For the past year, the Awakeners had been facing monstrous beings that appeared from nowhere.

  The monsters were unlike any others. Lizardmen, snakes, lamias, wyverns and dragon-men. All reptilian beings. These creatures were merciless, and if not for the System's authority, many would have 'died' by their brutal assaults.

  This was a whole other level than the usual goblin or Orc. But with the help of the ones recognized by The Stars, their Apostles, fending off the creatures proved to be much less difficult.

  ROAAAAAAAAR-

  That roar. The strongest. Not even recognized by a Star, but inexplicably more powerful than their Apostles.

  Nidhogg. The only Awakener who could become a reptilian being. The one who had almost fractured the spatial dome around this world when he transformed for the first time.

  Even the System had been impressed. Even the Administrator had to step in to avoid collateral damage.

  Die ! Creatures !

  -

  It's endless. I keep hearing them. Voices. Whispers. Roars. It's not good. The System. Has no answer. It's maddening. I kill and it gets stronger. I kill, and it gets louder. I kill, and it gets clearer.

  -n, ...i..., k..., ...in, ki..., k...n-

  One more year at best.

  But that's it. We're stagnating even further.

  "Stay strong Paul. We're close."

  Yeah. You're not the one with voices in his head whenever these lizards show up.

  System. We cannot hold for any much longer. Moreover, the True Awakening of the one they call Nidhogg weakened our defenses. Almost a year has passed on Earth. Four and a half here.

  We cannot keep pouring our power into the breach. The Stars have began warning us. They are scared. The Constellations are scared.

  ... They are back.

  That soon ? But we concealed this part of the Universe from Them. The Horde.

  What could have... You don't think Nidhogg attracted them, right ? Are you thinking about discarding him ?

  No, that's impossible. He is too powerful. He could became a Star himself and even The Lion, The Tiger and The Bull would have to respect him if he manages to arise.

  That's why he wasn't offered a Stellar Bond yet. The Stars are scared to stunt his growth.

  But the problem is that we've been putting humongous amounts of our power to seal the breach... You know what happened last time we did that and ignored the Stars.

  Hyperion fell. We saw it. The Black Holrde shouldn't be this organized when They have no Alpha. And yet... they manage to appear in this realm. How ?

  We need answers fast. But we cannot leave while we're transferring the Earthlings back... Let's hope some of them rise to become Stars. Portals should be starting to form soon on Earth.

  -

  "The attacks are intensifying. I do not like this one bit guys. The System is still trying to fix the spatial breach from Nidhogg's awakening so it can't be everywhere. Moreover, these creatures are definitely more intelligent than the rest. They are specifically targeting fields and structures we need to craft artifacts."

  "What's the plan then ? Our numbers are dwindling since the Administrator is getting some back to Earth, and without some of the Apostles, we're definitely weaker already. How many now ?"

  "We're down to... Three hundred now ? Something like this ? Lightyear just got sent back a few days ago" a bear-shaped man, with muscles that threatened to rip his shit off, answered, unsure.

  "Thousand Iai too. Morale isn't the best right now."

  "URGENT ! The Reptilzs are back !" a woman whose body seemed to be glitching screamed out as she appeared fron thin air.

  "Lots of them ! Way too many ! Nidhogg is barely managing to hold off !"

  "Let's go ! We're right behind you, Phase !"

  As the four Awakeners went closer to the place of conflict, the more their guts were telling them to turn back. Nidhogg, or Paul, was getting swarmed by all kinds of reptilians, biting into his scales, hindering his movements, preventing him from aiming his fire correctly.

  The air crackled, signifying The System and The Administrator had arrived. Their booming voices worried the Awakeners even more.

  This outbreak is out of scale. There are too many compared to the last times. System. Help me !

  Where is the Portal ? We have to close it. But now we're sure. Something is intentionally opening these rifts. It's not just remnants.

  Magic power surged and the two cosmic entities started gathering it, trying to avoid hitting the Awakener in Dragon form.

  All went black. The Awakeners, the Reptilz, Nidhogg. The Administrator and The System. All were facing the void of the stars. Or rather a distortion in space. Darker than black, with a ring of white levitating around it. A black hole.

  No... We killed you...

  The black hole stretched to take the form of a dragon. Its size, incomparable to Nidhogg's. After what felt like an eternity, two red eyes opened to stare at the group.

  Pests. You still haven't understood. The Black Horde will consume and you will not stop us. WE ARE THE MANY. We bring the END. I am The Dark Star. The One who dims the All. Perish. Miserable flickers of life.

  Space began to tear itself apart, rifts formed, from which more reptilians beings tried to crawl out of. Everything was converging towards the unknown dragon's opened maw.

  Administrator ! We must get the Awakeners back !

  Right ! Come on, quick !

  The few hundred remaining Awakeners felt the pull of the two entities, slowly bringing them closer to a wormhole they manifested. One by one, they were launched in another part of space, out of the predator's reach.

  'Aaaaaah, c'mon Paul, get something to grab onto, quick quick quick !'

  The pull of each side intensified. The two watchers didn't want to lose a potential future Star. The other, who knew ?

  'Fuck fuck fuck ! Please pull me out, pull me out, I want to see the cute white-haired girl again, pleasepleasepleas-'

  She's Mine ! Get off !

  A burst of black magic disrupted the pull of the two guardians and sent them far away as the Earthling got sucked in.

  'SHE ?! What the fuck ?!'

  The jaws closed, and Nidhogg was trapped. He looked around and was hit by a wave of drowsiness.

  You are interesting.

  You are strong. Despite being a puny flicker of life.

  You will be the mother of Dragons.

  You will be the mother of the Horde.

  You will be my mate.

  You will be Tiamat.

  The black and white haired entity looked up and let out a tiny whisper.

  What ?