《A tale of teleportation》


 Prologue

    Mark sat in a crowded auditorium. His face beaming in anticipation. For years, the kingdom of Levi has been under siege by the Dark Kingdom to the east. Little by little, Levi¡¯s territory has been pushed back until recently holding the line at the Varkush Mountains. Now, however, a new hope has emerged in the guise of Dr. Farn¡¯s supposed breakthrough in the wizard arts. ¡°The presentation will begin shortly. Please takes your seats¡± a young man¡¯s voice resounded inexplicably throughout the building. As the last people sat down, the chatter turned into scattered whispers until evaporating into silence. The lights dimmed until only a single vibrant spotlight highlighted the center of the stage.


    A middle aged looking man approached the podium in the middle of the stage. His facial features exuded considerable wisdom seemingly far beyond his years. Mark recognized the man as Dr. Farn, the leading expert in magic as well as an esteemed wizard in the Kingdom of Levi. Wizards are already rare in the world, and wizards of Dr. Farn¡¯s intelligence and skill are rarer still.


    Dr. Farn began, ¡°As you all know, when two warring armies face off, if both sides have but a single capable wizard, they are able to completely neutralize the effects of all magic in the area. In this way, most warfare is reduced to conventional tactics between armies. However, I believe I have found a way around this, a way for wizards to display their full might even in the face of another magic being.¡±


    As Dr. Farn began elaborating on his breakthrough, Mark sat there with a paling face. His reaction was completely antithetical from the rest of the crowd. While this technique would initially favor the Kingdom of Levi, only Mark seemed to realize the dire consequences. The Kingdom of Levi and the Dark Kingdom were but only two minor powers in the world landscape. Once verified, news of Dr. Farn¡¯s technique would spread. Mark believed a period of war would break out; the scale of which has never been seen before. Powerful wizards themselves may even attempt to establish their own countries.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    After the presentation ended, Mark along with a select few were secretly invited to a second talk taking place a week later about the actual specifics of the technique. The rest could only leave to spread propaganda about Levi taking back the eastern region with their new secret weapon. However, Mark did not have any thoughts about attending the second talk. His mind was already on making preparations to leave.


    Mark was an esteemed, learned wizard, but his actual magical abilities were a far cry from elite. That said, he did have one ability he was proud of, teleportation. Mark was well versed in short range teleportation, and while studying under his old mentor, he researched long range teleportation. While long rang teleportation existed, it required vast resources, and the two connecting locations needed immense structures to be built in tandem. Even once constructed, only wizards could make the journey, rendering these feats impractical for the majority of the people. Only a few such locations existed for use by wealthy wizards. Mark had other ideas. He believed he had found a lead on a way for a wizard to teleport over long ranges without the construction of any buildings. His progress in this technique earned him acclaim to the point where aspiring wizards even sought to study under his tutelage. However, Mark had always turned them down preferring to make his way on his own.


    Now, Mark believed himself to be important enough to be able to seek refuge in the relative safety of a large powerful country before any large scale wars broke out. With this incentive, Mark only needed a way to traverse Levi¡¯s border. Unfortunately, the Kingdom of Levi closed its borders after the Darkness Kingdom advanced to the Varkush Mountains. Mark realized this is the perfect opportunity to attempt a long range teleportation.


    With his plans in mind, Mark excitedly made his way back home to his lavish, one bedroom apartment. ¡°The next day, one way or another, will be monumental.¡± Mark thought to himself as he began making his preparations

 Chapter One

    Sarah Pentergass sat inside a tent. Camping was never Sarah¡¯s idea of fun, but she begrudgingly agreed to attend her family¡¯s once annual camping trip to LaPine State Park. She missed spending new years with her family, so she felt she owed it to them. Having been recently laid off from her public relations job in Chicowa city, a distraction also sounded rather nice. Unfortunately, Sarah¡¯s brother Robert had to cancel at the last minute due to illness leaving Sarah alone with her parents.


    The surroundings were the usual, a large glade surrounded by forest. Large pine trees encompassed the campsite on all sides, and a river roared in the distance. The campsite consisted of two large tents and a small, well used portable grill.


    Many people liked to camp at the park, but Sarah¡¯s dad always chose a secluded spot. The nearest people were probably miles away. Sarah quickly checked her phone battery, 98%, before shuffling it back into her pocket. She knew electronics were a rare commodity out in the wilderness, especially under her father¡¯s watchful eye. He originally insisted on no electronics, but gradually relented on phones as his children aged. It was enough to convince them just to go camping until he eventually couldn¡¯t even do that anymore.


    ¡°Come out Sarah, and enjoy your surroundings. You¡¯re one with nature here,¡± Bob, Sarah¡¯s father called out.


    ¡°Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. Might as well try to enjoy this,¡± Sarah thought to herself as she stepped out of her tent. ¡°Coming! What¡¯s for lunch today?¡± Sarah asked enthusiastically despite knowing that lunch would be peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a day one camping trip tradition.


    ¡°Silly goose, you know we¡¯re having PB and J sandwiches,¡± Bob replied good naturedly.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ¡°Just humor your father dear, we¡¯re only here for a few days,¡± Robin, Sarah¡¯s mom added seemingly seeing through Sarah¡¯s happy go lucky facade.


    The following few days passed more quickly and importantly, more enjoyably than Sarah anticipated. In fact, at the end, she was even mildly disappointed to have to go. Of course, her looming job search didn¡¯t encourage her to want to return to everyday life. Soon, Sarah and her parents said their heartfelt goodbyes and prepared to part ways. Her parents would return to their home in Luth while Sarah would eventually have to fly across the country back to Chicowa.


    After returning to their cars parked on a nearby dirt road, Sarah watched her parent¡¯s vehicle disappear into the distance. After hesitating for a moment, Sarah turned on the engine and prepared to depart as well. However, right at that moment, a shimmering light coalesced out of nowhere right in front of her car! Sarah shielded her eyes. She felt as if she was staring straight into the sun. Soon, the light dimmed before disappearing altogether as if it had never been there in the first place. All that remained was a young man in a lavish violet robe standing there before her.


    ¡°Strangely enough, I¡¯m not scared. Let¡¯s think through this rationally. There was a blinding, majestic bright light, and then a man appeared. I must be hallucinating. Did I eat something weird? Did my parents eat something weird? Are they going to be alright? I need to call them,¡± Sarah¡¯s inner monologue ran through her head. Quickly, she grabbed for her phone, flicked it on, and looked down.


    No service. Two little words caused Sarah to panic. She remained calm in the face of an impossible bright light and an impossible man, but the thought of her parents being in trouble caused Sarah immense alarm. She might not be the most filial daughter, but she deeply loved her parents.


    The man''s gaze slowly turned toward Sarah at the same moment that Sarah looked up from her phone, and they established eye contact for the first time. Finally, a switch went off in Sarah¡¯s brain and she realized that everything that happened was real. She just felt too lucid for this to be a hallucination. Furthermore, she had never once hallucinated in her life. At that moment a voice sounded out from the man.

 Chapter Two

    Naturally, the man was Mark. A moment earlier, during the same moment that Sarah was looking down at her phone, Mark stood there pensively. During transit, he encountered what amounted to a fork in the road. Having no prior experience, all he could do was choose a path and continue on. During his numerous short distance teleportations, nothing of that sort had ever occurred.


    However, Mark realized he¡¯d have to ponder this issue later as his attention soon focused on the vehicle in front of him. ¡°What is that mysterious metal box? It has wheels, so perhaps it is a means of transportation? I have never seen something so well-crafted before. It must be a one of a kind treasure. Without horses, it must run on magic,¡± Mark thought to himself. At this point, his attention switched from the car to the woman, and their gazes met. ¡°So that girl must be a Wizard too and a powerful one at that in order to move such a large and heavy contraption.¡±


    ¡°Young miss, I am called Mark. Might you be able to help me? My short range teleportation went awry and I¡¯m not sure where I am.¡± Mark, although typically honest, felt the need for a minor discrepancy of the facts here. Short distance teleportation was difficult enough, and long distance teleportation like he had just accomplished was previously simply fantasy. As such, he didn¡¯t want the woman in front of him to think him to be insane.


    Mark was surprised as the car¡¯s window rolled down. From his perspective, the transparent surface next to the woman simply retreated into the metal box¡¯s frame. Mark quickly reasoned it must be due to the woman¡¯s magic, again reinforcing his belief in the woman being a powerful wizard. The woman then poked her head outside and asked, ¡°Wha- what did you just say? Teleportation? You can perform magic?¡± Disbelief mixed with a strange modicum of acceptance filled her voice.


    A moment of silence reigned as both parties were slightly startled. ¡°Why would she be asking these question?¡± Mark thought, ¡°I¡¯d understand if she were a country bumpkin. After all, wizards are rare existences. In fact, most people go their entire lives without meeting one. But, she clearly must be a powerful wizard herself? I¡¯d best try asking again without offending her.¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right, I¡¯m a wizard. Although I¡¯m clearly not as powerful as you are being able to operate that metal contraption with wheels and all,¡± Mark replied attempting to flatter the woman.


    The woman withdrew her head and reached down for something. A black rectangular object appeared in her hand. Her fingers began to touch the front in various motions. Mark became worried that the woman was preparing an attack. He raised his hands and began to prepare a defense of his own. Mark was only exceptional in teleportation, but he believed his defensive skills to be competent. His offensive skills were another story, but Mark determined he¡¯d teleport away at the first sign of trouble.


    It turned out that Mark¡¯s worries were unfounded. The woman put down the device and nothing occurred. At least, nothing he could detect. Still, it was better to be safe, and Mark activated his magical shield anyways. A layer of translucent light extended from his hands becoming a plane in front of him. Mark could have it envelop his entire body, but that required more effort and was much more exhausting. The shield he made already put an enormous toll on his body since he had not had any time to recover from his teleportation. Mark determined that he had the ability to perform at most one more magical ability in the near future. Of course, he¡¯d save this for teleporting away in the event of danger.


    The woman again popped her head out and was about to speak when the light caught her eye. ¡°So, you really are a wizard? What is that light in front of you? And what do you mean by calling me powerful? I¡¯m but an ordinary young woman.¡±


    Now it was Mark¡¯s turn to have a realization. The woman did not seem to be lying. However, how could she be calling herself ordinary? She could clearly operate the vehicle and she had that strange rectangular object Mark had never seen before. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ve teleported further than I thought?¡± Mark reasoned believing that to be the only reasonable explanation. But where in the world would it be commonplace to have ordinary citizens operating such wondrous treasures? Something didn¡¯t quite sit right with Mark. All he could think back to was that fork he took during his teleportation.

 Chapter Three

    Sarah was now convinced the man called Mark in front of her was actually a wizard. As the saying goes, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and Mark supplied that in spades. From the blinding light from which Mark appeared to the less vibrant, but equally startling plane of light currently shining before her eyes, everything led credence to his claim. Sarah realized Mark had mistaken her car for a vehicle operated with magic and thusly thought Sarah to be a wizard herself.


    As such, Sarah followed up her claim to explain, ¡°That is right, I¡¯m an ordinary woman in this world. It seems your short distance teleportation wasn¡¯t as short as you intended. Somehow, you ended up in my world. Magic is fictional here, only seen in stories we tell for entertainment. My name is ¡­¡±


    Sarah began to introduce herself, but was cut off by Mark, ¡°This is fantastic! Ah this little thing, it¡¯s just a measly shield. Tell me more about your world! Bring me up to speed on everything I need to live here. I will definitely make it worth your while. I might even stay here forever!¡± Mark said in quite the excited manner as he dissipated his shield.


    Sarah felt Mark to be quite eccentric, but not at all dangerous. Furthermore, her jobless self could definitely use some help. Sarah lived a lonely life. Her family all lived far away, and she did not have any close friends. After being fired, she realized her work friends were merely that, friends at work. They politely declined Sarah¡¯s attempts to reach out after she was dismissed.


    So Sarah once again started to introduce herself with a smile, ¡°My name is Sarah. I truly believe we can help each other.¡± Sarah opened the car door and slowly approached Mark with her hand extended. She didn¡¯t know if there was a similar greeting where Mark came from, so she explained, ¡°Here, introductions are done with a shaking of hands. Clasp my hand and then gently lift it up and down once or twice. Then release.¡±


    ¡°Teriific!¡± Mark again exclaimed as he performed the actions told to him by Sarah. ¡°This is exactly the kind of knowledge I need.¡±


    Sarah and Mark continued to talk for a few minutes before Sarah invited Mark to stay with her for the time being. Mark accepted and both of them stepped into the car. Sarah started to explain about seatbelts, but noticed Mark promptly conked out upon sitting down.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°He really was quite exhausted. But he must trust me to some extent to fall asleep next to me. I really hope we can help each other,¡± Sarah thought to herself happily.


    A couple hours passed in silence as Sarah left the state park and headed to the airport. She thought to call her parents, but not wanting to wake Mark, decided to wait. As they approached the airport, Sarah nudged Mark awake and parked in a lot near the airport.


    ¡°Are we at your place?¡± Mark grumbled still half asleep before looking around.


    ¡°No, I just realized we have a big problem. You have no identification, so I can¡¯t buy you a plane ticket,¡± Sarah explained. Prior to Mark entering the car, Sarah had already told him the plan along with what airplanes were to Mark. However, this issue just didn¡¯t occur to her beforehand. After all, she had a lot on her mind.


    ¡°I will need at least a few days rest to recover my magic, but I have a little left in the tank,¡± Mark said thoughtfully.


    ¡°Can you use mind control magic to make the agents let you through? Or perhaps you can turn invisible?¡± Sarah asked.


    ¡°No, mind control magic exists, but is considerably difficult and is a taboo amongst wizards. Turning invisible is much more plausible, but I do not have the capability. However, I do specialize in teleportation. A short distance should not be a problem,¡± Mark said as he reached into his robe. He proceeded to produce two small gray pebbles. ¡°Even if I cannot see where I am teleporting, I can still attempt the teleportation. Merely, I will end up in the unoccupied location closest to the distance and direction that I wish to teleport in. That is why I¡¯m giving you the pebbles. Tap them together and then place them in the location in which I am to teleport to. I will be able to hone in on their location and appear there,¡± Mark explained while handing the pebbles to Sarah.


    ¡°But won¡¯t you cause a huge scene if there is a majestic bright light like last time? I can have you teleport into the lavatory on the plane, but the light was stunning. People would notice,¡± Sarah worriedly asked Mark.


    ¡°Not to worry, there won¡¯t be anything like that for such a short distance,¡± Mark confidently told Sarah to assuage her worries. After saying their temporary goodbyes, Mark climbed out of the car to await word from Sarah.