Yes, after a round of negotiations.

NOTE: if you read the previous chapter when it first came out, it has been updated.

John lets his gaze wander across the empty void, his mind unfocused as he tries to come to terms with the the offer before him, but he can't. It's like trying to imagine what it felt like to be Julius Caesar, George Washington, and Josef Stalin all at once. The sheer, unimaginable impact that his actions could, and likely will, have is staggering. In this timeless void, where eternity passes in the blink of an eye, his mind is paralyzed. Eventually though, he speaks, his voice slow and his words measured. "Statera, do you realize what your asking of me? Because I don't think you actually have. If I agree, then my actions will be judged for the rest of time. I will be the one to set the precedent for how every man after me will be treated. The entire world will be watching me, and waiting for any excuse to use me for themselves, or kill me to protect what they have."

A thought occurs to him, and he begins to laugh, slowly and quietly. Then, his shoulders begin to shake lightly, and he chuckles get louder. His voice slowly rises, and soon he is madly cackling. He falls over, laying sideways upon nothing, as he laughs far past the point he would have run out of breath, were there anything to run out of. Slowly, however, he calms down. He rotates back to standing, and looks Statera in the eye, a somewhat terrified and maddened look upon his face. "No matter what I do, how careful I am, I'll be walking apocalypse. My every step will shake nations, and my voice will crumble empires." His expression calms, becoming merely exasperated and amused. "God that sounded to pretentious. The weirdest part is, that's true, completely and utterly true. Hell, I might even be worse than that king you fear so much, from a certain point of view."

He makes the motions of taking a deep, calming breath, and shakes his head in utter bemusement. "Well, I suppose that this has to happen anyways. So, Statera Nitor, know that I intend to accept the honor and burden, once I know that I will be properly prepared, and compensated. After all, as the lady of the balanced struggle, it is not in your nature to let such a strenuous trial go unrewarded. I eagerly await your offer."

A delighted smile blooms on the face of the goddess, as she waves her hands. The void flashes with blinding white, and when the glow fades, the two are in a room with hard wood floors, beige painted walls, and a single, massive desk. Both of them are wearing suits that fit perfectly, and match their own personal style. John twitches when he realizes that he is sitting on a supremely comfortable chair, with a contract before him on the table. His gazes snaps to it, and its contents flash through his mind.

I, John Varyn, do accept these terms laid before me, of my own will and volition. I will be shifted into the world of Maran, with all the knowledge I currently posses. During the shift to Maran, I will gifted with A) the Sphere of Hero, with all the blessings and burdens that come with said Sphere, B) knowledge of the common tongue, C) basic knowledge of the world of Maran and the local area, D) supplies for two weeks of survival in the wilderness. In return for said gifts, I agree to leave behind at least one male heir, and be the light of hope in the world of Maran. Assuming I have upheld the terms laid out above, upon my **** in the world of Maran, I will be welcomed into heaven.

Once the contract has finished embedding itself it John's brain, he shakes his head. His thoughts are disordered, and dominated by the contract, even as it slowly fades into the background of his mind. He blinks rapidly, and once he has control of his thoughts, looks to Statera. "I have a few questions. First, what is a Sphere, second, what exactly is meant by two weeks of supplies, and third, what am I expected to do as the light of hope?"

Once John has finished with his questions, Statera begins to answer, her formal suit shifting just enough to tantalize John with her impossible beauty. Her hand gestures to the air above the table, and an image appears of five spheres. Four of them are aligned as the corners of a pyramid, and are of equal size. The fifth is in the center of the pyramid, and noticeably larger. "These are the Spheres. Each one can best be described as a general role in life, and encompasses the various Classes that fit with them. They are Warrior, Mage, Leader, Crafter, and Divine, or Hero. However, I should note that there isn't a clear divide between what belongs in each sphere. As an example, the Enchanter class is a hybrid of the Crafter and Mage Spheres." In each of the outer spheres appears an image. A sword, a hammer, a scroll, and a crown. "Each of the 4 lesser spheres are equal in potential, despite what the people believe. However, the last one is different." The four marked spheres fly away, and the central one grows in size, almost reaching from the table to the ceiling. "The Divine Sphere, or alternatively the Hero Sphere, is without question the most powerful of the Spheres. Those with it grow the fastest in power, and have no true limit on that growth. However, it can only be granted by the pantheon, and can be ripped away by us if we feel that it was given to one who is unworthy."

The spheres vanish, and are replaced with an image of a campsite in the forest, with a tent sitting next to a fire pit. A wooden chest sits of to the side, and a glowing green crystal hovers above the fire, serving as the anchor to a glowing green barrier. "This is what you will be supplied with. A tent in a secure area, with enough food for 14 days, as well as medical supplies that should last you that long. In addition, you are given a rechargeable warding crystal, with enough initial charge for 14 days. Water is provided by a nearby stream, where you should be able to find additional food to supplement your rations. When you first arrive, you will be given a choice of class, from the hero sphere, as well as a weapon fitting for the class chosen. That is all that will be provided for you."

The illusory camp disappears from sight, as Statera lays her hands upon the table. "As for being the Light of Hope, it is both the most simple and complex of the conditions. Basically, it means that you are to be, well, the light that brings hope to the hopeless, or in other words, a hero. How you go about doing that, is a matter for you to decide, but know that we will be watching you. That condition is nonnegotiable. You are to serve as a role model, and prove to the world that men are fit to be returned to the system. Are there any questions?"

John leans back in his chair, and rubs his chin in thought. "No, not really. At least, not about the contract, the terms seem clear enough. There are a few details that I would like cleared up, though. For one, how similar is Maran to a video game? How much more powerful is the Hero Sphere? But, most of those questions can be answered in Maran anyways, so the only real question is, where do I sign?"

A gleam appears in Statera's eye, and a smirk appears upon her lips. "You just did. Oh, and be careful on with the landing."