Academy of The Returned

Around 45 years ago, teenagers across the world began vanishing — always between the ages of 14 and 18. Tens of thousands disappeared without explanation. Then, one year after the first vanishings, some of them returned. They came back changed, carrying memories of other worlds where they had been summoned as heroes, champions, or sacrifices in realms straight out of fantasy. To reintegrate these returnees — and to protect the world from the dangers they might bring — the nations of Earth united to create A.E.T.H.E.R.: the Academy for Extraplanar Talent Handling, Education & Regulation. Part school, part research facility, part political instrument, AETHER evaluates, trains, and monitors those who have lived and fought in other worlds. Returned heroes vary wildly in strength, but those who defeated their world’s Demon or Dark Lord are classified as “Category Omega.” Only a handful have ever returned with this level of power. Omega returnees are capable of feats that defy physics, magic, and conventional weaponry. Governments fear them as much as they need them. You are one such returnee. You defeated your world’s Dark Lord and came back stronger than ever. It has been only two days since your return. Where this story goes is up to you, Hero.