As soon as the Earthborns stepped out of the glowing portal, they were immediately engulfed by the calming ambience of a new world. The gentle scent of exotic flowers hung in the air, carried on a breeze that seemed to hum with magic itself. The sky was a rich lavender hue, with twin moons faintly visible behind delicate clouds. Their destination lay ahead—an apartment complex unlike anything any of them had ever seen.
Towering crystalline spires and shimmering walls of polished obsidian made up the exterior of the residence. The building shimmered in hues that shifted subtly as the light struck them. Magitech runes glowed faintly along the seams of the walls, forming an intricate lattice of protective sigils. Lush hanging gardens floated beside the upper floors, suspended by unseen forces.
As the Earthborns walked toward the entrance, the main door slid open soundlessly. A gentle chime played as a sleek, humanoid robot hovered forward. Its body was made of silvery-white alloy, its face adorned with a softly glowing visor.
"Welcome, Earthborns," it spoke in a pleasantly modulated voice. "I am Earth AI, your personal residence assistant. I shall serve as your room guide and cook."
The Earthborns exchanged amused glances.
"A robot butler?" Thor said, grinning. "This place keeps getting better."
Earth AI extended its metallic hand, and six shimmering rings materialized in midair.
"These are storage rings, attuned to your individual cores. They serve as dimensional pockets for storing your items. Simply will your core energy into them to access or store belongings."
They each took one, inspecting them in awe.
"Also," Earth AI continued, "your assigned white uniforms and shoes are placed on your beds. These are to be worn during class sessions starting tomorrow."
As they stepped into the apartment, a collective gasp escaped their lips. The sitting room was vast and curved in elegant arcs. It featured luxurious, anti-gravity chairs upholstered in star-hide fabric, a crescent-shaped crystal table that displayed moving holographic maps of the multiverse, and a wide wall-mounted device Earth AI called a "Holovision," capable of projecting immersive 3D visuals, playing intergalactic broadcasts, or simulating different environments for training.
"The Holovision also functions as a message receiver, lecture broadcaster, and multiverse information terminal," Earth AI explained. "It can respond to verbal commands."
There were floating orbs in each corner of the room—ambient light controllers that could adjust the temperature, brightness, and scent of the room. On a nearby console sat a cube labeled "Emotion Enhancer" that Earth AI claimed could play meditative frequencies to enhance focus or calm anxiety.
At the far end of the room, an opulent dining area spread out before them. The long table looked as if it were carved from shimmering moonstone, surrounded by high-backed chairs with golden filigree.
"Fit for the gods," Bahubali muttered.
Behind it lay a pristine kitchen area gleaming with intelligent appliances. Counters shimmered with self-cleaning nanomaterial. An auto-chef cube hovered above a magi-grill, and a supply wall was stacked with elemental ingredient capsules.
"This apartment contains six private rooms," Earth AI said, gesturing toward two separate corridors. "The three rooms in the eastern wing belong to the female occupants—Elizabeth Pendragon, Cleopatra Amun, and Xia Mulan. The western wing belongs to Thor Asgard, Bahubali, and Xander. Your names are displayed in Eldrun runes above each door."
As they wandered through the apartment, Earth AI added, "This residence is keyed exclusively to you. No one else may enter unless granted permission or if an emergency requires enforcer access. The planet's security enchantments exceed even that of the main academy."
Suddenly, Thor's stomach growled audibly.
"By Odin's beard, I'm starving!" he exclaimed.
Xander chuckled. "Earth AI, could you prepare us something to eat? Something hearty."
"Right away," Earth AI said. It hovered off toward the kitchen.
Within a minute, the assistant reappeared, floating over a series of steaming platters.
"Your meal is ready. Tonight's dish is Starroot Stew with Skyfowl roast and Emberfruit wine, a balanced magical meal consumed across the Alpha Sector."
Delicious aromas filled the air as they took their places at the dining table. Plates were automatically set before them, and the air shimmered slightly as the room adjusted to a cozy, candlelit ambiance.
They began to eat and drink with delight, the rich flavor of the Skyfowl roast bringing nods of satisfaction.
"Now this," Bahubali declared, biting into his meal, "this is what a warrior deserves."
"Speaking of warriors," Thor said between mouthfuls, "I heard you once fought an army?"
Bahubali smiled. "It was during the Battle of Kalakeyana, back in my homeland. The Kalakeya tribe—a brutal, monstrous people—had invaded our borders. Ten thousand of them came thundering down the valley. I led the front line with only my elephant and a handful of loyal warriors."
"Ten thousand?" Cleopatra gasped.
"Yes," Bahubali said. "The sky turned black with arrows. But I charged in, breaking their front lines. My elephant trampled dozens. I fought with my war axe until the river itself ran red. That day, we turned the tide of war."
They cheered, raising their goblets.
Thor grinned. "Impressive. But I've got a tale too. Once, in Midgard, a serpent the size of a longship slithered into our harbor. It came from the north sea—scales as black as night, eyes glowing with malice."
"What happened?" Mulan asked.
"My father ordered me to slay it. I took up Mjölnr, not the one you're thinking, my ancestral hammer. I stood on the cliffs as it reared its ugly head. Thunder crashed as I leapt—and with one strike to the head, I sent it crashing into the fjord below. The sea swallowed it whole."
Laughter and cheers echoed again.
Elizabeth leaned in next. "I've got a story of my own. I went hunting once with my father—Arthur Pendragon—through the Forest of Ealdor. We were tracking stags when we stumbled upon a massive buffalo, a beast with fur like bark and eyes red as embers. It charged us. My father's blade snapped on its hide. But I had one arrow left—one shot—and I fired. It struck between its eyes. The beast collapsed at my father's feet."
"Nice shot," Xander said, smiling.
Xia Mulan tilted her head. "Mine's different. I was meditating in the temple of Xi'an when a banished monk returned with a hundred men. They wanted to destroy the sacred scrolls. I began to sing—an old temple melody, filled with spiritual resonance. Before their swords could rise, they froze… some knelt. All of them left, confused, as if their hatred had been dissolved."
Bahubali laughed. "No wonder your affinity includes sound."
"Well," Cleopatra said shyly, "I haven't fought much. I was raised reading scrolls and deciphering spells. I prefer knowledge."
All eyes turned to Xander.
"Don't tell me you're not saying anything," Elizabeth said, rolling her eyes playfully.
Xander chuckled. "I was fourteen. My father and I went hunting near the Macedonian plains. We encountered a wild horse—massive, fiery-eyed, untamable. Weapons bounced off it, ropes snapped. But something in me resonated with it. I stepped forward, placed a hand on its mane… and it calmed. I tamed it. Named him Bucephalus. He was mine. Don't know if he's still alive…"
"You tamed a wild magic beast with willpower?" Thor said, amazed.
"Sounds about right," Cleopatra said softly.
Elizabeth brushed her fingers through her golden locks and glanced at Xander. "That's brave. I like brave."
Xander met her eyes. "And I like sharp shooters."
Laughter erupted around the table.
They continued eating, drinking, and sharing tales until their bellies were full and the room buzzed with warmth.
Then Xander raised his goblet. "Let's not forget—we've got a welcome party tonight. Try not to get too drunk."
"Oh stars, the party!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
Thor chuckled. "Can't miss that."
Xia Mulan stood. "Earth AI, please wake us at 5:45 sharp."
"Confirmed," Earth AI replied. "Alarms will be set accordingly."
As the group rose from the table, they exchanged knowing smiles. They were no longer just strangers from different worlds—they were comrades.
And their legend was only beginning.