Story 2: The Dead End Detour

Jenna was still sore from her time at Tarl’s place. She could swear she still felt leftover semen inside her vagina. But that was a problem for another time. Today she was headed to an interview with a comic convention sponsor to be a spokes-model.

She was rushing to get from the parking lot, across the street. Her attention focused entirely on what a ‘Cosplay Model’ would be asked to do. The screech of tires was the last thing she heard before everything went black.

When Jenna opened her eyes, she wasn’t lying on the street or in a hospital bed. She was floating, weightless, in a vast, shimmering void. Light swirled around her like stars being born and dying in the same breath. She blinked, her mind struggling to catch up.

“Where ... am I?”

“You’ve crossed into the God Realm,” a voice boomed, echoing through the cosmos. Jenna spun around, trying to find the source. Her gaze finally settled on a figure that shimmered into existence before her: a tall, ethereal being.

It was neither male nor female and made of pure light. It had no facial features but a little of both masculine and feminine bodily features, pure androgyny.

“Am I dead?” Jenna whispered, fear creeping up her spine.

“Not quite,” the deity replied, their voice gentle now. “You were struck by a truck. Your soul was displaced. I caught it before it could scatter.”

Jenna’s mind raced. “So ... what now? Am I stuck here?”

The deity’s glow softened. “Not necessarily. You have a chance to return to your world, to your life.”

Jenna’s heart lifted. “Really? How?”

The deity waved a hand, and the void around them transformed. Suddenly, Jenna stood in the middle of a vibrant, fantastical world. Tall, otherworldly mountains rose in the distance, forests shimmered with strange, glowing plants, and in the sky, a massive dragon’s silhouette moved across the clouds.

“Welcome to Arvion,” the deity said. “A world filled with magic, monsters, and ancient treasures. If you wish to return to your life, you must defeat the dragon that rules this land and claim the Dragon Seed, a magical item that holds incredible power.”

Jenna stared at the dragon in the distance, her mouth dry. “You’re kidding, right? I can’t fight a dragon!”

The deity smiled, but it didn’t reach their eyes. “You must if you wish to return. There’s no other way.”

Jenna’s legs trembled beneath her. “And if I fail?”

“You will remain in this world, or perhaps perish. The choice is yours.”

Jenna swallowed hard. Her life had been far from perfect, but she wasn’t ready to give up on it. “How long do I have?”

“As long as it takes. But know this, young one: this world is not without danger. You will face trials before you reach the dragon, but you will also find allies. Trust in your heart and your strength.”

The deity stretched out a hand, and in a flash of light, a pendant materialized around Jenna’s neck, glimmering with a soft, blue light. She touched it and felt a cold chill.

“You have the tools you need. Now, go. Find the Dragon Seed, and reclaim your life.”

Jenna took a deep breath, clutching the pendant tight. The fantastical world of Arvion stretched out before her, both beautiful and terrifying. She didn’t know how, but if fighting a dragon was the only way home, she would find the courage.

With one last glance at the deity, it vanished with a chilling laugh.

The world of Arvion beckoned, and her quest began.

Jenna traipsed along in the direction the dragon had flown. After walking for what felt like an eternity, though in reality, it was only an hour. The vibrant world of Arvion hummed around her.

Strange birds cawed from trees, and plants shimmered with colors she had never seen on Earth. Her mind was still racing with questions how was she supposed to defeat a dragon?

As she trudged along, trying to keep her nerves in check, the sound of light footsteps caught her attention. Jenna tensed. From behind a cluster of glowing bushes, a small figure emerged.

It was a girl ... An elf, by the looks of it, with pointed ears poking through silver-blonde hair. She was petite, maybe no taller than Jenna’s chest, and her large, emerald-green eyes sparkled mischievously. She wore a short tunic of earthy greens and browns, adorned with tiny trinkets and leaves as if she had just stepped out of the forest itself.

“Well, well,” the elf said, a playful grin spreading across her face. “What do we have here? A lost human wandering on her own?” Her voice had a musical lilt to it, like a chime in the breeze. “And naked for the world to see as well.”

Jenna hesitated and immediately looked down at herself. How had she missed that she was naked? Nothing to do about it now. “I’m not lost. I ... I’m following a dragon.” She glanced at the sky, where the massive silhouette had disappeared. “It’s kind of a long story.”

The elf raised an eyebrow. “Following a dragon? Alone?” She circled Jenna, eyeing her up and down. “And not a stitch on you? Oh, dear, you’re in over your head, aren’t you?” then she eyed the pendant hanging from Jenna’s neck.

Jenna narrowed her eyes, feeling a bit defensive. “I don’t have a choice. I need to get something called the Dragon Seed to...”

“Ah, Ha Ha!” The elf laughed out loud, her eyes lighting up with understanding. “The Dragon Seed! Now that is interesting. Very few people even know what that is.” She tapped her chin, thinking. “Let me guess ... some all-powerful deity sent you on this quest?”

Jenna blinked, surprised. “How did you know?”

The elf laughed, a sweet, melodic sound. “Oh, the gods are always meddling, sending unsuspecting would-be heroes on impossible missions.” She smiled sympathetically. “Besides, you have a God’s Tear around your neck.”

Jenna felt a pit form in her stomach. “That’s not exactly reassuring ... Wait! God’s Tear?”

The elf waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. The God told you that you had everything you’d need to defeat the Dragon, did he?” She slapped Jenna on the ass, and Jenna yelped.

“You’re lucky you ran into me! My name’s Lyra, by the way.” She gave a dramatic bow. “And as it happens, I know something about dragons and the Dragon Seed.”

“You do?” Jenna asked, her heart lifting slightly. Maybe this wasn’t so hopeless after all.

Lyra’s grin widened. “Of course! Dragons are tricky business. But with the right knowledge, and a little magic ... you might just stand a chance.”

Jenna looked at the small elf, unsure whether to feel relieved or suspicious. “Why are you helping me? What’s in it for you?”

Lyra laughed again, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Oh, let’s just say I’m bored, and this sounds like fun! Besides, you’re going to get yourself eaten if I don’t tag along.” She winked. “Juicy slice of human flesh that you are ... Consider me your guide. Or an adorably cute sidekick?”

Jenna couldn’t help but smile at that. She wasn’t sure if this elf was entirely trustworthy, but she didn’t have much of a choice. If Lyra knew the way to the dragon and the Dragon Seed, then she was Jenna’s best and maybe only hope.

“Alright,” Jenna said, holding out her hand. “Let’s do this together.”

Lyra clapped her hands, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Excellent! Now, the first thing you need to know is how to use that pendant. It can give you anything you wish for, but is limited to how many times you can use it in one day.”

She leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, “Try wishing for some clothes. Unless you want to drop down right here and...” Jenna gripped the pendant tightly and was suddenly clad in a pair of Daisy Dukes and a tube top, with a pair of Skechers, and cross trainers on her feet.

Lyra blinked in surprise. “Odd taste in garb ... But whatever gets you off, I suppose.” Lyra went on. “Dragons have a fatal weakness, that you need to learn to exploit.