2 A World Unseen

Kael Voss hovered in the air, suspended by an unseen force. A dark, swirling aura surrounded him, tendrils of shadows licking at his cloak as if trying to consume him. The air crackled with energy, the tension palpable.

Below him, the world had succumbed to an era of chaos and destruction. Cities lay in ruin, their once-great towers crumbling like sandcastles before the tide. The skies were shrouded in an eerie darkness, pierced only by the occasional flash of lightning that illuminated the ashen landscape. The cries of despair and anguish echoed through the desolate wastelands, a haunting reminder of the hopelessness that now gripped the land.

"Had I known what was to come, I never would have laid hands on that tome."

***

A few centuries had passed since the tragic fall of the Cursed Mage. 16 years old orphan Kael Voss stood atop the ancient tower, looking out at the desolate city below. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the kingdom's skyline. The wind gently whipped his white hair, and he breathed in the crisp evening air. His life had been far from fulfilling, filled with failures and disappointments. He had nothing to his name—no successful career, no comfortable home, and no admiration from his peers.

Unbeknownst to Kael, his soul was incomplete, fragments lost somewhere in the ether. This imperfection had left him weak, both physically and spiritually, which had made him an easy target for bullies throughout his life. His frail form was often met with cruel taunts and disdain from those around him, further reinforcing his feelings of worthlessness.

"Another day, another failure," Kael muttered to himself, as he failed yet another test to join the military. The sense of hopelessness that had accompanied him for years now pushed him to the edge of despair. He had come to the tower to end it all, to escape the relentless misery that had become his life. But as he stood there, looking down at the unforgiving ground below, fear took hold, and he found himself unable to take the final step.

Feeling defeated, Kael slumped against the tower's inner wall. As he did so, an ancient tome caught his eye. It lay hidden beneath a layer of dust and cobwebs on an old wooden shelf. Intrigued and desperate for a distraction from his dark thoughts, Kael picked it up and carefully flipped the tome open. The pages were filled with cryptic symbols and runes, unlike anything he had seen before. Kael's fingers traced the unfamiliar markings, a feeling of excitement building within him.

Out of a sudden, a gust of wind blew through the tower, and the ancient runes on the pages began to glow with a brilliant golden light. The air around him crackled with energy, and Kael felt an indescribable force tugging at his very being.

"What's happening?" he whispered, fear and exhilaration battling within him. But it was too late to turn back now.

As the final word left his lips, the world around him shattered like fragile glass. The fragments of reality spun and twisted, and Kael felt himself being pulled into a void of darkness. As the swirling chaos engulfed him, Kael wondered if he had unwittingly unleashed a destructive force, one that would bring about his doom.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp..." - the sound of birds was heard in the sky above.

Kael's eyes snapped open, and he found himself lying in a field of tall, green grass. The sky above was a brilliant blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds. A sense of disorientation washed over him as he struggled to understand what had just occurred.

"What had just happened?" Kael exclaimed.

Panic rose in his chest as he realized that this place was entirely unfamiliar. The city he had known so well was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a sprawling landscape of rolling hills, lush forests, and towering mountains in the distance. Confusion and fear threatened to overwhelm him, but Kael forced himself to take deep, calming breaths.

"Where...where am I?" he muttered to himself, scanning the horizon for any sign of familiarity. "This can't be real, am I dreaming after getting my ass kicked again?"

As he slowly got to his feet, Kael felt a weight in his pocket. Reaching in, he pulled out the ancient tome he had discovered in the tower. Its golden runes still glowed faintly, pulsing with an energy that seemed to resonate with the very air around him.

"Did I really get teleported to a world with magic or something?" Clutching the book tightly, Kael seemed interested to unravel the mystery of this strange new world.

Suddenly, the sound of rustling leaves caught Kael's attention, and he turned to see a figure cautiously approaching him. The stranger appeared to be a beautiful young woman with long, auburn hair cascading in gentle waves down her back, framing a face with sharp, curious eyes that seemed to sparkle with intelligence. Her attire was unusual, consisting of form-fitting leather armor that accentuated her lithe, athletic build and a quiver of finely crafted arrows slung over her shoulder. A beautifully carved wooden bow hung at her side, revealing her proficiency as an archer.

Kael's first impression of the woman was a mixture of awe and curiosity. Her confident stride and the graceful way she moved through the forest exuded an air of capability and strength. Her sun-kissed skin and the fine lines around her eyes suggested that she spent a significant amount of time outdoors, possibly hunting or exploring the wilderness. As she drew closer, Kael couldn't help but feel intrigued by this enigmatic stranger who appeared both fierce and approachable.

Kael's initial instinct was to be on guard, unsure of whether this stranger posed a threat. However, as she drew closer, he noticed that her expression held no malice, only curiosity and a hint of concern.

"Who are you? How did you fall out of the sky?" the woman called out, her voice tinged with caution.

"My name is Kael," he replied hesitantly. "I... I don't know how I got here. Where am I?"

"You're currently at The Evergreen Wilds in the Realm of Anduron," she answered, her eyes narrowing as she assessed Kael's bewildered expression. "How is it that you don't know where you are? Did you really just...appear out of the sky?"

Kael hesitated, unsure of how much he should reveal. "I was in my world when I found this ancient tome," he said, showing her the book. "I opened it and saw some weird runes in it, and then everything started to spin and ultimately went black. I ended up here, with no idea how or why."

The woman approached cautiously, her curiosity piqued. "I've never seen anything like this before," she admitted, studying the glowing runes. "My name is Luna. I may not have all the answers you seek, but perhaps I can help you find them."

Kael sighed in relief, grateful for any assistance in this strange new world, especially from such a pretty lady. "Thank you, Luna. I would appreciate your help."

Together, they set off, navigating the unknown landscape of Anduron. As they walked, Luna shared stories of her world, filled with magic, monsters, and enchanted lands. Kael listened intently, his fascination growing with each tale.

"So, you're telling me that there are people here who can control the elements?" Kael asked, his eyes wide with amazement.

Luna nodded. "Yes, there are mages who can manipulate fire, water, air, and earth. Some can even bend light and shadows to their will."

Kael's curiosity was piqued. "And what about the monsters? What kind of creatures exist in Anduron?"

Luna's eyes sparkled as she began to describe some of the magical creatures they might encounter. "Well, there are dragons, of course. Majestic, powerful creatures that rule the skies. Then there are the phoenixes, birds of fire that are reborn from their own ashes. We also have griffins, unicorns, and even the elusive chimera."

As they continued their journey, Kael couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the magical world he now found himself in. "This place is incredible," he whispered, his imagination running wild with possibilities. "I can't wait to see it all for myself."

Though he was still reeling from the shock of his sudden teleportation, Kael couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the world that now surrounded him. The thirst for adventure that had gnawed at him for so long seemed to be quenched, at least for the moment.

Throughout their journey, the ancient tome weighed heavily on Kael's mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that it held secrets concerning not only his arrival in this world but also the destiny that awaited him here. But with Luna's unwavering support, Kael felt a renewed determination to uncover the truth and, perhaps, discover a greater meaning in his life.

Kael and Luna ventured further east, nearing the edge of The Evergreen Wilds. The terrain had become more rugged, with rocky outcroppings and twisted roots breaking through the earth. As they navigated the uneven ground, they couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. A sense of foreboding loomed over them, and the once-vibrant forest seemed to dim in response.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows that stretched across the landscape, they came upon a small clearing. Here, the air felt thick and heavy, and the earth beneath their feet seemed to hum with a strange, ominous energy.

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of their necks stood up, and a low growl rumbled through the still air. Luna instinctively reached for her bow, her eyes scanning the treeline for the source of the noise.

"Sshh, don't make a sound," she whispered.

Kael clutched the ancient tome tightly, feeling the runes pulse with energy, as if sensing the danger that lurked nearby.

From the shadows, a monstrous creature emerged, its presence sending a chill down their spines. A serpentine dragon that was rarely seen in this part of the realm. The beast's scaly hide shimmered with an iridescent sheen, reflecting the last rays of sunlight in a dazzling display. Its body was long and muscular, with powerful coils that hinted at its immense strength. Venomous fangs protruded from its gaping maw, and its eyes were an eerie, glowing green that seemed to bore into their very souls.

"What in the hell is that thing!?" Kael gasped.