Evan was certain of three things: the smiling woman in front of him was the most beautiful he'd ever met, she was not remotely dressed for the hike he was on, and she definitely shouldn't be floating a few inches off the ground.

  Somehow, her voice sparkled in the air as she spoke.

  “Evan Daniel Carter. I am Seralith, Goddess of Renewal and Light, and my Priestess is in danger. I come to you in need of help”

  This day had turned out very differently to a normal day in the office.

  Earlier that day

  Evan sighed, staring at the spreadsheet on his monitor, the formula mocking him in its complexity. He hated troubleshooting nested IF statements—it was like untangling Christmas lights only to find half the bulbs still didn’t work. But honestly, his distraction had little to do with work and everything to do with the storm inside his head. The divorce agreement had been finalized last week. Two years of battles—legal, emotional, and everything in between—had finally come to an end. Yet relief was elusive. Instead, there was a hollow ache. He still dragged himself to work every day, and he still came home to an empty house every night.

  At least the weekend was approaching. Two days until he saw Jason again. A small smile tugged at his lips at the thought of his son’s boundless energy. A new indoor playground had opened nearby, and Evan was already bracing for the inevitable: hours of crawling through tunnels too small for his comfort but worth every second of Jason’s laughter. That was the one bright spot in a life otherwise littered with regrets he couldn’t quite shake.

  Evan glanced at the clock. He sighed again. “Good enough for today,” he muttered under his breath. There was no point in pretending he’d accomplish anything meaningful in this state of mind. He needed to break the cycle, shake things off, and reset. He’d seen plenty of others let life’s hardships drag them under, and he refused to be one of them. The legal battles were over now—it was time to step out of the mire and move forward. And for Evan, that meant one thing: a hike. The trails behind the city always had a way of clearing his head, and today, he desperately needed that clarity.

  He stood up, grabbing his phone and walking to Cindy’s desk. “Hey, Cindy,” he said, his voice steady but carrying an edge of exhaustion. “I’m cutting out early. I’m not getting anywhere with the costing model today, but I’ll have it done by Friday.”

  Cindy looked up from her screen, her brow furrowed in concern. “You okay, Evan? You’ve been through a lot lately.”

  He nodded. “I’m fine. Just need to clear my head. I’ll stay late Thursday if I have to, but I’ll get it done.”

  She studied him for a moment, then gave a small, understanding nod. “Alright. Just… take care of yourself, okay? And don’t make me chase you for that model.”

  “Got it,” he said with a faint smile before turning to leave. He drove to his apartment and grabbed his hiking gear before heading out again, but not to the trailhead just yet. There was something, or rather someone, else on his mind.

  Stopping by his father’s house wasn’t part of the original plan, but the thought of him had been gnawing at him all day. Pulling into the driveway, Evan wondered if this impromptu visit was more for his dad’s sake or his own.

  “Evan!” his father greeted him from his recliner, his voice carrying the warmth of surprise. “What are you doing here this time of day? Your mum’s out with her book club.”

  Evan shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. “Work wasn’t happening. Figured I’d hit the trails to clear my head and thought I’d check in on you first. Need anything?”

  Robert chuckled, a raspy sound that betrayed the toll the cancer had taken on him. “Good man. You’ve been driving too hard lately. Now that you're done with that bitch, you should be relaxing, not brooding.”

  “Dad, come on,” Evan said, shaking his head. “It’s not all Sarah’s fault. We just weren’t right for each other anymore.”

  Robert raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical but wry. “You mean she wanted to fuck around, and you didn’t.”

  Evan sighed, refusing to take the bait. “Sure, Dad. Close enough.” He shifted the conversation. “You’re looking good today. Sitting up and everything.”

  Robert’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a contemplative look. “Yeah, ups and downs. Today’s an up day.” He paused, his eyes locking onto Evan’s. “Which is why I wanted to tell you—I think I’m stopping the chemo.” Robert paused and waited for Evan's reaction.

  It came slowly. It took a few moments before the words hit Evan like a punch to the gut. Words caught in his throat before he forced them free. “What? Dad, no. You’ve always been a fighter. You can’t just—” Evan’s argument died on his lips, the resolute look in his father’s eyes silencing him.

  “I am fighting, Evan,” Robert interrupted, his voice calm but firm. “But this… this isn’t living. The doc says it’s just buying me a little more time, but at what cost? I feel like hell for a week after each session, and the cancer’s still creeping back. I’ve talked to your mom, and we both think it’s time. I want you on board with this too. You and your mum need to start focusing on living your lives, not mine.”

  Evan swallowed hard, his mind reeling. This wasn’t the man who had taught him how to tie a fishing knot or what to say to a girl —this was someone who had accepted his mortality with a grace Evan couldn’t fathom. “Dad…”

  “Think about it,” Robert said, his tone softening. “Go for your hike. Clear your head. Come back tomorrow, and we’ll talk properly.”

  The drive to the trailhead passed in a blur, his father’s words echoing in his mind. Dressed in rugged shorts and athletic t-shirt, he donned a neck gaiter along with a wide-brimmed hat and wraparound sunglasses. He pulled on his hydration pack, and strapped his knife to his leg for easy access and movement. The knife was larger than most carried just for hiking, but his father had always insisted on carrying such things when hiking, and the habit had stuck with Evan.

  As he laced up his boots and strapped on his gear, Evan couldn’t shake the image of Robert’s steady gaze, full of resolve. The man who had been a pillar of strength his entire life was now asking Evan to be strong for him. As he set off into the woods, the crunch of gravel underfoot, Evan knew this hike wouldn’t bring the peace he sought. But maybe, just maybe, it would help him find the clarity he needed to face what lay ahead.

  Because whether he liked it or not, life was moving forward, and it was time he did too. For his father. For Jason. For himself.

  Evan’s boots crunched steadily against the rocky trail, the sound rhythmic and soothing in its repetition. The path ahead wound sharply upward, a brutal incline that promised to burn out the tension coiled in his muscles. He’d chosen one of the toughest trails in the park, the kind that dared hikers to keep going when their legs screamed to stop. This was what he needed—something to push him past the noise in his head, something that would demand his focus and leave no room for the chaos swirling inside.

  As he climbed, sweat poured down his temples, soaking into the neck gaiter he wore. His breathing came hard and fast, the strain settling into his thighs and calves, but he didn’t slow down. This was the zone he craved, the place where his body took over and his mind began to untangle itself.

  His father’s words kept echoing in his head, looping over and over like a song he couldn’t turn off. “I’ve served my tour, time to go.” His father had always been pragmatic, even when Evan was a child. He remembered him teaching him how to build a fire during one of their camping trips, calmly explaining that it wasn’t about the biggest flame but about control and knowing when to let the embers do the work. That was his father—steady, logical, and always prepared to face life head-on, whether it was a campsite in the woods or a terminal diagnosis

  Evan reached a particularly steep section of the trail, gripping the edge of a boulder to pull himself upward. His chest heaved, but he kept climbing, the ache in his muscles grounding him. He realized now that his father’s decision wasn’t about giving up—it was about taking control. Robert wasn’t the type to let life or death dictate his terms. He was choosing to go out on his own terms, with dignity, sparing his family the worst of it. And, damn it, Evan couldn’t fault him for that. If anything, it was exactly what he’d expect from the man who had quietly carried their family through thick and thin, never asking for thanks or recognition.

  Reaching a break in the trees, Evan paused, hands on his hips as he caught his breath. The view stretched out before him—miles of green forest, dotted with the golds and reds of early autumn. It was breathtaking, but his mind barely registered it. His thoughts shifted, unbidden, to Sarah.

  The breakdown of his marriage had been like watching a slow-motion car crash. The signs had been there, but he hadn’t wanted to see them. Sarah’s suggestion to open their relationship had blindsided him, but her reasoning had been worse. She didn’t want to explore together—she wanted permission to pursue her boss, a man with a bigger house and a bigger bank account. When Evan refused, she’d gone ahead as if he’d said yes, saying that he could find other partners too, her betrayal cutting deeper than he’d thought possible.

  The divorce had been inevitable. He’d been the one to file, unwilling to stay in a marriage where trust was a casualty of ambition. The two years since had been a long, bitter slog through legal proceedings and her not-so-subtle attempts to flaunt her new, more affluent life. But through it all, Evan had stayed focused on one thing: Jason. He refused to speak ill of Sarah in front of their son, refused to let his own pain spill over into Jason’s relationship with his mother or her new partner. Jason deserved better than that, and Evan was determined to give it to him.

  He adjusted his hydration pack, taking a long sip of water as he continued down the trail, the descent mercifully easier on his legs. The physical exertion had done its job, loosening the knot of anger and hurt that had been sitting in his chest for what felt like forever. He felt lighter now, freer. His father’s decision wasn’t a betrayal—it was a final act of love. And Sarah? She was a chapter of his life that had ended, but not one he regretted. Without that chapter, he wouldn’t have Jason. And Jason was everything.

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  Evan’s pace quickened as the trail evened out, his movements confident and sure. For the first time in a long while, he felt ready to move forward. His father’s strength was in his DNA, and he’d carry that legacy with him. His marriage had ended, but it hadn’t broken him—it had taught him resilience and the importance of staying true to himself. And Jason? Jason was his anchor, the reason he kept going, kept striving to be better.

  By the time Evan reached the summit, his body was exhausted, but his mind was clear. He wiped the sweat off his face and pulled off his hat, breathing in the crisp evening air. Life was messy, complicated, and often unfair. But it was also beautiful, full of moments that made the struggle worthwhile. He was ready to embrace it all—the challenges, the heartbreak, the joy. He was ready to move on. For his father. For Jason. And, finally, for himself.

  Time to go home.

  After a few yards down the trail, the air suddenly felt strange. A charge hung in the air, and was suddenly gone, but the air felt heavy in its wake. It felt both expectant and impatient, like something was waiting to happen and it just needed him to show up.

  Evan rounded a bend in the trail, his boots crunching against the gravel path, when he saw her. At first, he thought his exhaustion was getting the better of him—had he pushed too hard? But no amount of squinting or blinking could change what he was seeing. A woman stood in the middle of the trail, dressed in flowing white and gold robes that shimmered faintly, as though they caught a light that wasn’t there. Her feet were bare, but more importantly, they weren’t touching the ground. She hovered just above it, a serene glow surrounding her, golden hair cascading down her back like sunlight.

  Evan stopped in his tracks, his breath catching. "Uh... ma’am? You’re, uh, lost, I think. This isn’t the trail for ethereal cosplay conventions." His voice wavered as he spoke, though he tried to play it cool.

  The woman turned to face him, her golden eyes impossibly deep, carrying a wisdom and weight that made Evan’s stomach twist. When she spoke, her voice was melodic yet commanding, reverberating in a way that made him feel it in his chest as much as he heard it. “Evan Daniel Carter,” she said, his name rolling off her tongue as though she’d known him for years. “I am Seralith, Goddess of Renewal and Light, and my Priestess is in danger. I come to you in need of help”

  This must be a hallucination, he thought. Stress, emotional distress, the hard hike. All coming together to produce…something weird.

  Evan blinked. Then blinked again. “Seralith. Right. Goddess of Light. Sure. And I’m Zeus, Lord of Thunder. Nice to meet you.” He gestured vaguely at her feet. “Listen, the levitation thing is cool and all, but I’m not sure what you think I can—”

  “Evan,” she interrupted, her tone firm but not unkind. “This is no jest.. One of my priestesses, Lyrin, has accidentally opened a portal to this world while fleeing scions of Vareth, the God of Corruption. She is pursued even now by one of his agents, and her life is in grave danger.”

  Evan took an instinctive step back, his mind racing. He was definitely hallucinating.

  The woman spoke again, in a soothing voice “Evan, this is no dream. Let me prove it to you” she waved a hand, and suddenly Evan’s sore muscles loosened and relaxed, his exhaustion lifting as if he’s slept for a day after a full body massage. There was no way she wasn’t real.

  But still. He was just some guy, an office worker who hiked to blow off steam. “Look, I think you’ve got the wrong guy. I’m not... I don’t know, some chosen hero or anything. I don’t even know how to fight! I’m great with spreadsheets, though. That help?”

  Seralith smiled faintly, though her eyes remained serious. “You underestimate yourself, mortal. But you are correct—you lack the tools for this task. That is why I bring you an Eidolon.”

  “A what-now?” Evan asked, holding up a hand as if to stop the flood of information. “You’ve barely convinced me you’re real, and now you’re throwing weird words at me?”

  “An Eidolon,” Seralith explained patiently, “is a fragment of an exceptional soul, bound to aid a champion in times of need. I have kept this one, Alara Veyne, for a moment such as this, though I did not know it until now. She will guide you, lend you her skills, and help you save Lyrin.”

  Before Evan could protest further, Seralith extended her hand, and a glowing circle of golden light appeared, hovering in the air between them. It was intricate, a lattice of ethereal patterns that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. “This is the Eidolon Circuit. Take it, and Alara’s essence will merge with yours. She will teach you what you need to know.”

  Evan stared at the swirling construct, his mouth dry. “So, let me get this straight. You’re handing me... what, a magical USB drive? And once I plug it in, I suddenly know how to fight or something?”

  Seralith’s lips twitched in what might have been amusement. “You will gain her skills, yes. But you must open your mind to the connection. Do not fear it.”

  “That’s... a lot to unpack,” Evan muttered. He hesitated, his hand hovering near the circuit. Finally, he sighed. “I don’t think I can do this. It’s too dangerous. What if this guys kills me instead?

  “He will not…he cannot. Alara will not allow it” the serenity on Seralith’s faced started to slip. “Please Evan. I cannot interfere - even healing you was risky. You are Lyrin’s only hope, or she will die alone in a foreign world”

  “I have a son…we’re going to a playground this weekend. I can’t.” Seralith began to look worried, and her formal tone slipped. “Evan, Lyrin is precious to me. You are our only hope. I beg you, please help us. Protect her as you protect the family you obviously love, and I will be in your debt.”

  Evan paused in his backing away. Seralith claimed to be a goddess, and here she was begging him. While he wasn’t certain of her godhood, she was obviously capable of some kind of magic, so he might as well take her word for it. He sighed. His instincts for self preservation warred with his impulse to protect those who needed it. His impulses won.

  He took the Eidolon Circuit in one hand, and threaded it over the other hand. It sat around his wrist, a broad band of some kind of metal, with a single large gemstone in the centre. Faint tracery decorated the surface. It suddenly tightened to fit snugly. A sharp thud echoed in his head, and he staggered, clutching his forehead. The world around him fell away, and when his vision refocused, he was no longer on the trail.

  He stood in a forest clearing bathed in soft, golden light. The air felt charged, humming with an energy he couldn’t explain. And before him stood a woman—a warrior, tall and fierce, with sharp eyes and an even sharper smirk. She was dressed in a mix of practicality and elegance - tight leggings, a loose white blouse, and a cloth wrapped around her hair to keep it off her face. A sword rested casually on her shoulder as though it were an extension of her arm.

  “Well, well,” she said, her voice rich with amusement. “So, you’re the next lucky person I get to babysit. Try not to die too quickly—I’d hate to waste my time.”

  Evan blinked at her, still clutching his head. “You must be Alara. Great. Just what I needed—a sarcastic voice in my head.”

  “Oh, sweetheart,” she said, stepping closer and tapping his forehead lightly with her gloved finger, “I’m not just in your head. I’m with you. And trust me, you’re going to need me if you want to survive what’s coming.”

  Evan groaned, rubbing his temples. “Fantastic.”

  Evan looked around the clearing again, though now he realized it wasn’t quite real. The golden light filtering through the trees had an otherworldly quality—too perfect, too vivid. The air buzzed faintly, like the hum of a distant power line. Alara stood a few paces away, idly spinning her sword in her hand as if it weighed nothing.

  “Alright, rookie,” she started, her sharp gaze fixed on him. “Welcome to your Ego Space. Think of it as the inside of your mind—our little pocket dimension, where time bends to our convenience. Here, we can talk, train, and work on making you less... fragile.” She gave him a pointed once-over, her smirk unmistakable.

  “Ego Space?” Evan repeated, looking around. “This... is inside my head? Awesome. My subconscious is a forest clearing. Guess I should be glad it’s not a cubicle.”

  “Count your blessings,” Alara said dryly. “Now, listen up. As your Eidolon, I’m here to lend you my skills and guide you in combat. The connection we share means my knowledge is gradually transferring to you. You’ll start noticing it soon—instincts, techniques, muscle memory.”

  Evan raised a skeptical eyebrow. “You’re telling me I’ll just... know how to fight? No training montage required?”

  Alara chuckled, shaking her head. “For most things, yes. The basics will settle in naturally. For tougher skills—complex techniques, advanced strategies—we’ll need to spend time here, drilling them into your skull. But you don’t need that right now. You’ve already got the fundamentals creeping in.”

  “Uh-huh,” Evan said, crossing his arms. “And how exactly does that work? Because I’ve never picked up a sword in my life.”

  Alara’s grin widened. “Funny you should say that. Let me show you something.” She raised her free hand, and with a flick of her fingers, a sword shimmered into existence in Evan’s hand. It was perfectly balanced, the hilt resting naturally in his grip as if it had always been there. Matching the blade in Alara’s hand, it had a long triangular blade about an inch wide at its thickest, and the hilt not only curved like an S over his knuckles, but had several complex rungs that surrounded his hand.

  “Whoa,” Evan muttered, staring at the blade. “Okay, that’s cool. How did you—?”

  “I’ll teach you how to manifest weapons next time,” she interrupted smoothly, taking a step closer. “Right now, let’s see what you’ve already got. Defend yourself.”

  “What?” Evan barely had time to react as Alara lunged at him, her blade arcing toward his head in a sharp, precise strike.

  Instinct kicked in. His body moved before his mind caught up, his sword rising to meet hers with a loud clang. He immediately rotated his wrist to continue the sword's circular motion as he stepped sideways around her to cut at her now exposed forearm. Alara twisted out of the way, her laughter ringing out as their blades clashed again.

  Evan’s eyes widened as he realized what was happening. He wasn’t just flailing; he was fighting. His feet moved with practiced precision, his strikes fluid and controlled. He parried another of Alara’s attacks, the vibrations of the impact traveling up his arm but not throwing him off balance. “Holy—wait. I know how to use a sword?!”

  “Told you,” Alara said, stepping back with a satisfied smirk. “You’re not hopeless after all. You might even be halfway decent one day.”

  Evan lowered his sword, his breath coming fast. “Okay, but there’s one problem. I don’t exactly walk around with a sword in the real world.”

  “Describe your weapon,” Alara said, tilting her head. “Picture it in your mind.”

  Evan frowned, holding out the sword in front of him. “Uh, well, it’s a... knife? Sharp? Long?” As he spoke, the gleaming sword shimmered, its shape shifting and condensing until it became something familiar. In his hand now was his hiking knife, the same sturdy tool he always carried.

  Alara’s smirk flickered into a look of surprise. “Huh. That’s unexpected. You already figured out how to manifest your weapon. Most people take a few sessions to get there.”

  “Is that good?” Evan asked, holding up the knife. It felt natural in his hand, as if the balance had shifted to match his movements.

  Alara grinned again, this time with a hint of approval. “Good? It’s impressive. And I know how to use a knife just as well as a sword. Trust me, you could do worse.” Knowledge of knife-work against various weapons seeped into Evan.

  She stepped back, gesturing for him to relax. “Alright, you’re off to a decent start. You’ve unlocked my skills. Now, get out of here and go save that priestess before Seralith starts glowing ominously. We don’t want to keep her waiting.”

  Before Evan could respond, the world around him shimmered and dissolved. He blinked, and suddenly, he was back on the trail, the weight of his knife still solid in his hand. Seralith stood before him, her serene smile unchanged, as if no time had passed.

  Evan looked down at the knife, then back at her, a mix of disbelief and exhilaration washing over him. “I know Kung-Fu,” he said, deadpan.