Chris sat slouched on his couch, a bag of chips in hand and crumbs dotting his faded jeans and stretched t-shirt. The sudden appearance of a swirling white light in the corner of the room made him blink twice, unsure if he was dreaming or just overtired. He reached out, curiosity overtaking caution, and his fingertips grazed the edge of the light. Instantly, the world spun, colors warping like water, and everything faded to black.
Chris blinked, stumbling as he found himself standing on soft grass, surrounded by giant mushrooms and flowers the size of dinner plates. In the distance, a dragon soared past a craggy peak, and a group of armored knights marched along a cobblestone path. "What is this place?" he muttered, heart hammering in his chest.
A tall, silver-bearded wizard appeared before Chris, his eyes gleaming with mischief beneath a pointed hat. The Wizard, with a cloak swirling like midnight smoke, leveled his staff and spoke in a booming voice. "You are the chosen one, summoned to save our world!" "I think you have the wrong person—I'm just Chris from Queens," he replied, taking a step back. "Oh, I can fix that," the wizard replied with a wink, raising his staff high.
The Wizard chanted ancient words, and a surge of lightning struck Chris, tingling through every nerve. "What age would make you a hero, Chris?" he intoned. "Uh... eighteen, I guess?" In a flash, Chris felt his body shrinking and stretching at once—his jeans sagged, his t-shirt slipped off one shoulder, and he stared in shock as his arms grew lean and strong, muscles blooming beneath his skin. His hair lengthened, turning golden blonde, and his reflection in a nearby pond revealed a tall, athletic young man with piercing blue eyes.
The Wizard waved his staff again, laughter rumbling like distant thunder. Chris watched as his shoes morphed into sturdy boots edged with fur, and his jeans melted away, replaced by a rough fur loincloth. His t-shirt vanished entirely, leaving his new, muscular chest bare to the world. Magical energy stitched a leather strap across his back, and suddenly a gleaming sword and round shield appeared, fitting perfectly to his transformed physique. "Behold, the hero you were meant to be!" the wizard proclaimed, pride shining in his eyes.
Chris flexed his fingers, feeling the strength coursing through his veins and the confidence settling in his posture. He caught sight of his reflection again, marveling at the tall, blonde hero staring back. The Wizard stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "From this day, you are not Chris, but Hero—the champion our realm needs," he declared. Sword and shield in hand, Hero strode toward the waiting villagers, a new sense of purpose igniting within. He grinned, exhilarated by his second chance at youth, adventure, and heroism.
