THE MOMENT
"Thank you for everything, Mundo!" Sarah continued to thank the kindly, green-haired barkeep as she stood from the stool. Over the past half-dozen hours Mundo filled her in on what she could do and the nature of the universe. She wasted a year harboring resentment for her exile. The people she thought were her friends were easily bought out by the promise of wealth. They betrayed her and sealed her into another dimension; another reality.
Sarah was determined to survive and she thrived in her new environment. The thought of returning home to take her revenge on the ones who sent her there fueled her growth. She learned how to hunt wild animals and create her own shelter. After several months in a strange wilderness, she'd built herself something that was almost a home. Then, she felt comfortable enough to start experimenting with her own abilities.
The experience of being cast out was hardly informative. As she begged and pleaded for someone to explain something to her, the only thing they would say was that she was going to be powerful in the ways of magic. Survival was her priority when she awoke in the new world; but, throughout the months she'd caught glimpses of her own power. She accidentally burned down her first attempt at a shelter with a stray blast of flame from her palm. It was discouraging; but, she knew the frustration wouldn't do anything to help her persevere.
When she felt at ease enough she started trying to practice and harness her abilities. After several more months, she developed enough control to regularly start a campfire and other simple tasks. It helped that she could easily imagine her once friends consumed by her own flames. After a year in isolation, Sarah felt like she'd mastered the magical blaze from her palms. She began to wonder what else she could do. She had an innate feeling that there had to be more to her powers and she desperately wished for a way to know more; that was when a black hole opened next to her.
It looked exactly like the portal she was shoved through. She hoped it was a way home and she was ready to wreak some havoc. She dashed in without hesitation; but, she was surprised by what she found on the other side. At first glance, it looked like a tavern with a portly green-haired man standing behind the bar. But, she'd never seen so many windows with perfectly clear glass. And outside she could see countless strangers walking by in strange clothing. The furniture all around her was made of wood and metal in unfamiliar styles.
"Hola Estrella," the barkeep smiled at her and motioned for her to sit. Sarah was thrilled to see other people finally. She didn't know where she was; but, she guessed it was in another dimension again. With no other idea on how to proceed, Sarah sat and the man introduced himself as 'Mundo'. He fed her and talked to her for the next six hours explaining what she was, what she could do, and some mysteries of the wider universe. The conversation changed her life. And now, she knew exactly what she wanted to do.
"Oh, hang on a moment," Mundo waved at her as she opened a portal to leave. Now, she knew how to do it easily; she knew how to aim for where she wanted to go. There was somewhere she was eager to be; but, she waited. Mundo gestured at another black portal. A teenage girl with rainbow hair, wearing a white suit walked out of the portal.
"Sarah, meet Monday," Mundo introduced them. Sarah greeted Monday with a wave. "Monday is a merchant and she works for Sharp Development; she's a good connection to have. Anything you need, she can arrange it."
"Anything?" Sarah asked. After their long conversation, she knew that if Mundo said 'anything' he likely meant it. He explained all the things that Sharp Development was capable of. Monday nodded with a smile.
"Nice to meet you," she said. "Let me know any time you need something."
"Actually...," Sarah spoke up. She hoped she wasn't being too eager to take up the offer on the spot; but, Monday gave her an encouraging smile.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Sarah here was betrayed by her friends on her Earth; she had revenge on the brain when she got here...," Mundo interjected.
"Oh?" Monday asked. "After talking to Mundo..., you shouldn't really need my help for that...," she said with a flat tone. It was different from the warmth she spoke with before.
"Oh no, I don't!" Sarah smiled as she shook her head. After meeting Mundo she learned she had the power to destroy entire Earths. She could easily lay waste to her friends and the kingdom that bought them out. Everyone that ever treated her poorly could be done away with in one blazing pulse from her hands. That wasn't what she wanted from Monday.
"I wanted to find someone from Sharp Development," she said. "It seems like a wonderful company... I was hoping to find a position with you that would also let me explore other universes. I can start right away!"
"Right away after your revenge?" Monday asked.
"Revenge?" Sarah shook her head. "I've learned there are an infinite amount of Earths out there to see," Sarah said. "It's one inconsequential Earth out of infinity. Let them think they won, there's so much else to see and do... who has time for revenge?"