The walk to Ironveil took an hour, with Ben's hands bound in front of him loosely, The patrol moved efficiently through the forest, and Ben used the time to gather information.
"So, Aethermoor," he started. "That's this world's name?"
The gray-bearded warrior, who'd introduced himself as Garrett, nodded. "You speak as if you're from elsewhere, boy."
"Because I am. Different world entirely. Earth. We've got one moon, no magic, lots of cars and pizza." Ben watched their confused expressions. "Yeah, that means nothing to you, does it?"
Lyra glanced back. "This 'Earth' of yours...is it beyond the Outer Kingdoms?"
"Way beyond. Like, different dimension beyond." Ben tried to gesture with his hands. "There was this portal, and my enemy, Vilgax, he's this alien warlord who wants my Omnitrix, anyway, things went wrong and I got sucked through."
"Alien," the youngest warrior muttered. "He keeps using that word."
"Creatures from other planets," Ben explained. "Where I'm from, we know about thousands of alien species. I can literally turn into them." He held up the Omnitrix. "This device, it's called an Omnitrix. It's got the DNA of like, over a million different species."
Garrett's eyes widened. "A transformation artifact. Such magic, Legends speak of such things, the Amulet of Beasts, the Crown of Faces."
"Not magic," Ben insisted. "Science. Really advanced science."
"Any sufficiently advanced magic appears indistinguishable from divine will," Lyra quoted, her tone suggesting it was a common saying here. "Your 'science' manifests the same as sorcery to us. therefore, it is magic."
They emerged from the forest onto a dirt road. In the pre-dawn light, Ironveil was breathtaking. Massive walls encircled a city of thousands, with market districts visible even from here. The castle at its heart had towers that defied physics, held together by what Ben could only assume was magic.
"Whoa," he breathed.
"First time seeing a proper city?" the youngest warrior, Tam, asked with amusement.
"First time seeing one that looks like it's straight out of a fantasy novel." Ben squinted at movement on the walls. "Are those... guards with actual crossbows?"
"Of course. What else would they carry?"
"Guns? Lasers? Okay, I'm clearly not in bellwood anymore." Ben paused. "That's another place you also won't know, I guess."
As they approached the main gate, guards in polished armor straightened to attention. "Captain Lyra! You've returned from patrol early."
"We found something in the Darkleaf Woods," Lyra replied, gesturing to Ben. "A stranger who claims to be from another world. He wields a transformation artifact of considerable power."
The gate guards' hands moved to their weapons. One leaned closer, studying Ben with suspicion. "Looks like just a boy."
"I'm sixteen," Ben repeated tiredly. "And I'm really getting sick of people calling me a boy."
"He speaks the Common Tongue," one guard noted with surprise. "But his accent is strange."
That made Ben pause. He was speaking English, wasn't he? But they were understanding him. He looked at the Omnitrix, noticing a small linguistic symbol glowing faintly. "Huh. Universal translator must've kicked in. That's new."
"What's a translator?" Tam asked.
"Never mind." Ben turned to Lyra. "Look, can we speed this up? I need to figure out how to get home. My family's probably freaking out right now."
Lyra's expression softened slightly, the first change in her stern demeanor. "If you truly are lost, then the court wizards may be able to help. But first, you'll be presented to King Roland. He'll decide what to do with you."
"Great. Meeting royalty while tied up. This is going super well."
They passed through the gate into a city waking up. Merchants were setting up stalls, blacksmiths fired their forges, and the smell of baking bread made Ben's stomach growl. He realized he hadn't eaten since before the fight with Vilgax.
People stared as they passed. Ben heard whispers: "...four-armed demon..." "...Lyra caught a shapeshifter..." "...another dark summoner..."
"Okay, what's with everyone assuming I'm evil?" Ben asked.
Garrett answered quietly, "Ironveil has been under siege for weeks. Orc raiders from the Blackfang Clan, led by a warlord who commands summoned beasts. Shadow hounds, blood golems, worse things. Your appearance, transforming as you did, brings those creatures to mind."
"I'm not with any orcs!" Ben protested. "I didn't even know orcs were real until right now!"
"We shall see what the king determines," Lyra said, but her tone held less certainty than before.
The castle loomed ahead. Ben looked at the Omnitrix, recharged and ready. He could escape if he wanted. Four Arms could break these ropes easily. XLR8 could outrun anyone here.
But then what? He'd be alone in a world he didn't understand, with no idea how to get home.
Sometimes being a hero meant trusting people, even when they tie you up.
"Alright then." Ben said. "Let's meet this king."