First there was light. Not blinding, not scorching—soft, like the touch of feathers. It streamed from all sides, caressing the skin, evoking not so much sunlight as the glow of distant stars on a clear, moonless night.
Then came the smells: the scent of blooming trees, warm moss, faintly sweet hints of pollen, and a subtle, almost imperceptible tang of unknown essential oils drifting through the air.
Then came awareness.
Someone opened their eyes first. Then another. And another. People began to stir, lift their heads, sit up. All at their own pace, in their own way. Someone jumped up abruptly, spinning their head around in bewilderment, while another barely turned their neck and froze, trying to understand what was happening.
The world into which they awoke was beyond imagining.
Underfoot stretched a covering of thick, soft grass, like silk, sprinkled with rare crystalline flowers that opened at the slightest ripple of air. Yet the grass itself seemed merely a curtain for a far grander backdrop—a garden surpassing any earthly notion of beauty. Tall floral arches, vines with glowing buds, light wisps of haze floating above them, infused with a pearly glow. It seemed every inch of ground was imbued with a certain magnetism.
Nearby stood tall, slender trees. Their trunks were covered with patterned bark, which, seen from the side, resembled stained-glass mosaics. The leaves shimmered as though a quiet pulse glowed within, and the breeze only emphasized this living radiance, making the foliage rustle like the wings of mysterious butterflies. From the crown of one such giant drifted fireflies—not the familiar earthly insects, but tiny spheres of light, like droplets of liquid gold drifting aimlessly in the air.
But the most entrancing sight awaited above.
From the heavens over that place flowed magic. It was literally visible: in the gaps between branches and flowers lay not merely a night sky, but a colossal panorama of space, which no earthly eye could ever observe under normal conditions. Not just a starry sky—something incomparably more colorful and alive.
The sky was no ordinary one. It breathed, shimmering with unknown hues, as though the very space here was saturated with magic and light. Right overhead stretched gigantic bands of gleaming nebulae, lazily drifting across the firmament. Their shapes sometimes resembled massive animals, sometimes the faces of gods, as if they responded to the onlookers' gazes. Stars were visible everywhere: they burned slowly but appeared closer and far livelier than on Earth, as though they truly beheld this land.
Transparent rings often passed across that sky—perhaps remnants of gas or alien matter enveloping the planet, or maybe the rings of some giant satellite. At certain angles, these rings reflected light, forming iridescent trails like pearlescent veils.
Yet the most unexpected thing: from time to time, mysterious points of light glided in the depths of that sky—like distant ships or mechanisms crossing the horizon, leaving quick trails of light. They differed from the twinkling of stars: they moved steadily, confidently, and vanished beyond the horizon or into the bands of nebulae. This added to the impression that the "paradise garden" in which the schoolchildren awakened was by no means isolated from other civilizations. Even to the naked eye, one could tell these weren't meteors or mere comets—their trajectory was too smooth, their artificial nature unmistakable. And that made it stranger still: it felt as though they were not merely in another world, but at the heart of a cosmic hub, where advanced technology and magic could coexist.
Night had only just assumed its reign. The sun, almost invisible, slipped beyond an unseen mountain ridge, leaving a warm orange-pink glow on the horizon, but above, shadows and starlight already held sway. Under earthly conditions, even in the planet's most pristine locations, one would never see such a fantastic sight: too much excess lighting, city illumination, dust. And the Solar System, with its rather ordinary sky, could not compare to this place, which, judging by everything, was in a particularly vibrant corner of the galaxy. From here, star clusters and nebulae looked unbelievably bright, as though a painter had spilled all the universe's colors across a black canvas and, in places, added mysterious bands of light resembling spacecraft engines.
It was a place where even breathing felt foreign to everyday reality. And that feeling only grew upon realizing that, at that very moment, overhead, constructions akin to spacecraft were gliding across the sky, leaving long beams of light.
And in this marvelous, crystalline, and impossible realm, figures began to rise. Schoolchildren. Their bodies lay scattered around the meadow, as though they had slept upon some lavish banquet bed.
The first to get up was Blake from Class A—he sat up sharply, automatically clenching his fists. His face showed clear readiness for battle, but his eyes widened as he surveyed the surroundings:
"What the…" he could only exhale, feeling that his usual "earthly" reflexes seemed out of place in this idyllic scene.
Next, Victoria Locks of Class A stirred. She was in no hurry to stand; first she set her hand on the grass and slowly ran her palm across it, as though verifying its reality. Her face was calm yet tense—within Victoria, an analytical process was igniting: "This is not Earth's flora… and certainly not Earth's sky. Where are we?"
Laughing Liara of Class C awoke with genuine delight.
"We… are we in some friggin' fantasy?!" she half-whispered, nearly bouncing on her toes, fascinated by the glowing motes. Yet her voice carried not just excitement but also bewilderment: "Can that be? And what if this is real magic?"
Max and Logan managed to stand, murmuring among themselves and rubbing the back of their heads. One asked hoarsely:
"Hey, you alive?"
"Yeah. If this is hell—it's fairly cozy," the other snorted, but a naked fear flickered in his eyes.
Luna Shade stood up slowly, unsteadily. Her hands shook, yet she forced composure. Her face reflected terror and reverence at once: in her mind flared worries about where Gabriel was, how he would handle this if even the transition itself seemed to wrench the soul from the body.
Taira from Class B rose with catlike precision and briskness, scanning the environment distrustfully, as though expecting an ambush from those flowering bushes or perhaps from the sky, where the lights of unknown craft shone.
Felicia Green was helping those nearby to stand, not asking questions. She was organized by nature: "First, count everybody, figure out who's conscious and who isn't." Thoughts darted through her head about how to arrange the group in a safe spot.
Graham Harper, the B-class mentor, was already up, casting a studious glance around the meadow. His ex-military reflexes kicked in—he was looking for quick escape routes or cover, though everything seemed "too beautiful to be dangerous."
Nora Meyer, the C-class teacher, was at no distance behind—she knelt beside one of the still unconscious kids, speaking with nearly professional calm:
"No one's hurt. That's already something," though her look betrayed perplexity: "Impossible that no one got injured after… something so inexplicable."
Henry Withers, the A-class mentor, knelt with his palms on his thighs, staring blankly at the star-filled sky with its drifting lights. He presumably realized they were not merely on another planet, but possibly in a place where advanced technology, magic, and strands of fate intertwined. "So not all miracles are fables," flashed through his mind.
"Is this a dream?" came Mia's thin voice from Class C. "Or… that Game?"
"Ha! If this is isekai, then I guess I'm finally home! A genuine paradise!" shouted Kody with dubious vigor, jumping to his feet. He spread his arms wide, as though eager to embrace such splendor, yet fear gleamed in his eyes: "What if it's just a façade, while behind it all is something far grimmer?"
"Take it easy," muttered Edmund Crowe, standing up.
"Paradise wouldn't give you such a headache."
"Paradise?..." Luna repeated softly, glancing around. "It's so beautiful… so why am I so scared?"
"Watch where you're stepping!" snapped Yuna irritably when someone from Class B nearly crushed her shoelaces. "Careful!..."
"What a magnificent landscape…" Sebastian whispered, tilting his head back to admire the stars, the nebular bands, and the mysterious streaks of ships crossing the sky. "I should at least imprint it in my memory…"
They all rose, stunned, subdued, enthralled. Somewhere a quiet conversation began, someone called out for the teachers, a half-whispered roll call. One helped a friend, another tried to pose questions but got only anxious stares in response.
"Where are we?" finally asked Violetta, gazing at the rings overhead. "Is this space? Or…"
No one had time to answer, because a hoarse, spasmodic sound came from the side, like a mortally wounded beast. Luna turned first, eyes widening in horror, letting out a sharp cry:
"Gabriel!"
He was lying a short distance away, body arched in an agonized bow, as though his spine would snap under some inner force. His skin was marble-white, almost transparent, and his lips were moving, uttering broken phrases like some torn radio frequency:
"Light… unbearable… cycle… spiral… cries and suffering… laughter… they crave… silence… over and over… over and over…"
"What's wrong with him?" Felicia rushed over, touching his forehead. "God, he's freezing…"
"He's not responding," Luna said in a shaking voice, grabbing his hand tightly. "But he's muttering something… like he's trying to warn us…"
Gabriel squeezed his eyelids and began violently shaking his head, as though fighting off unknown demons pushing into his consciousness. His voice was ragged and chaotic, filled with such panic and reverence that it was as if he beheld both horror and majesty incarnate:
"A voice… bodiless… cold… fear… hatred… a voice… malevolence… a rift… the gates are open… It awakens…"
Suddenly he trembled, releasing an inhuman, excruciating scream:
"DOOM! DOOM! DOOM! … Darkness… the End… Death… all shall be devoured…"
"That's no delirium," Edmund whispered faintly, his face whiter than chalk. "It's prophecy… He's seeing something…"
"We can't just stand here!" Victoria took a step forward, but her voice faltered. "He's obviously trying to warn us!"
Some students backed away, others froze, drawn by the frightening sight. The murmurs died down, everyone listening intently to that fractured torrent of words. Gabriel's convulsions grew so fierce it looked like his bones would crack, while thick, dark blood trickled from his eyes, ears, and nose, as though something inside him had shattered beyond repair.
Felicia's gaze swept over everyone again, darting from face to face, until suddenly alarm flared in her eyes:
"Wait… Adam's gone," she said, her voice trembling. "Nobody's seen him?"
They fell silent, scanning one another in anxious stillness.
Then Gabriel abruptly opened his eyes, in which pure, inhuman terror was mirrored, and focused on Felicia. His voice was hollow and distant, as if sounding through some barrier between worlds:
"He… is not with you… he… remained… no… they took… they took him, in order…"
"Who took? Adam?" Blake barely forced out, coming closer.
Gabriel tensed again, his entire body bending as though struck by lightning. A shriek was torn from his throat—a wail of pain, dread, and something ominous, unfathomable. His voice splintered into numerous layers, each pouring out its own words:
"Despair… disappointment… defeat… the past… hope… light… the future… the path… destroy… save… mistake… name… no-name… a tool… triumph… rebirth… apotheosis… the end… doom… doom… DOOM… He is coming!"
Those words slammed into the mind, like thousands of voices united by one excruciating truth. Around him, the air began to ripple, as though reality itself could not withstand the strain. Black blood oozed from his eyes, nose, and ears, and his glassy gaze was fixed somewhere distant, where lurked a monstrous secret that had destroyed his reason.
"It's as if… he was broken from within," Edmund whispered, barely moving his lips.
Gabriel convulsed again, then fell still. His body went limp, breathing shallow, almost imperceptible. His eyes closed, and he drifted into unconsciousness.
Felicia dropped to her knees, pressing an ear to his chest.
"He's alive," she said with simultaneous relief and dread. "But it's as though something vital's been wrenched out of him… as if he was just a vessel for something horrifying."
Several students retreated further, while others exchanged tense, worried looks.
"Whatever it was…" Luna carefully touched Gabriel's shoulder, "it seems to have gone."
"What in the hell is happening here?!" she added.
Then, from the far edge of the meadow, where faint shimmering paths led, came a new sound. At first scarcely audible—distant, hollow, even, like the heartbeat of the world itself. But it gradually strengthened, becoming a low, measured rumble of footsteps, mixed with barely perceptible vibrations in the air, as if someone were striking colossal, invisible drums.
The students stiffened, peering into the gloom beneath the trees, hearts pounding faster. Victoria felt her fingertips turn cold as she clenched her fists and whispered, tense and quiet:
"Someone's coming…"
Shadows deepened, and soon the first silhouettes appeared in the pale semidarkness. Tall, gaunt, cloaked in heavy robes and mantles, they moved slowly and solemnly, as if performing an ancient, sacred rite. Their forms seemed elongated, unreal, woven from the very dusk. An impenetrable hush followed their approach, making one's blood freeze.
Stepping forward were shapes reminiscent of monks or priests, wearing long hooded robes that completely concealed their faces. Each held a massive staff topped with unfamiliar symbols, faintly glowing and shimmering in time with their steps, as though charged with an energy of their own. Their garments flowed like liquid light, woven from gleaming threads shifting through all shades of silver and gold.
Behind them came figures in long mantles and wide-brimmed hats adorned with elaborate patterns and metal inlays, reflecting the dim glow of the surrounding realm. Each bore a scepter or artifact that glowed from within with a mysterious, muted radiance. It seemed their very presence distorted the space around them, making the air thick, almost tangible.
Warriors closed the procession. Their armor looked forged of star-metal, gleaming with a cold, austere light. Some suits were traced with ancient symbols and patterns, others seemed alive, like shifting fabrics continually morphing from light to metal and back. Their helmets covered their faces completely, leaving only dark slits for eyes. Their movements were stately, unhurried; each step echoed with a profound vibration that resonated in the chests of all who beheld them.
An invisible power radiated from every being in that procession, so overwhelming it seemed nature itself bowed before them in submission. Their presence stirred a strange, twofold sensation—less a threat than a primal awe and trembling before something infinitely ancient and mighty.
As the procession drew near, the light around them receded, as though reality itself dared not intrude upon their aura of majesty. The air began to thrum, like the moment before a thunderstorm. Even the trees, grass, and very earth underfoot quivered slightly, as if paying homage to their grandeur.
When they reached the meadow's edge, they halted. An absolute, utter silence fell, so dense and profound that each student could hear their own breath. Then, as though obeying an unheard command, every member of the procession dropped to their knees in wordless, profound reverence. The moment felt so grand and significant that no student dared break that sacred hush, not even to breathe.
And then the sky flared.
In the meadow's center rose a pillar of light—brighter than any star, dazzling like a supernova unfolding. It pierced the evening darkness, driving out everything else. From inside that radiance emerged three silhouettes. Tall. Flawless. Godlike.
The first figure, shrouded in a heavenly blue glow, was feminine, her hair drifting softly as though woven from moonlight. The second figure, bathed in golden radiance, moved with vigor, ease, and joy, as if every motion were a celebration of life. The third, male, encircled by amethyst flames, stood before them in shining, austere armor etched with patterns, gleaming as though forged from the very facets of stellar metal.
At that very moment, all living beings in the clearing felt the space around them compress, becoming dense, almost tangible. The pressure was so overwhelming that students and teachers fell to their knees, unable to resist. Their breaths were cut short, hearts trembling from an unbearable, almost painful reverence.
Suddenly, the air itself began to resonate, filled with subtle vibrations, each particle seemingly repeating words clearer than any thought in their minds.
The figure bathed in blue light spoke first, her voice soft and profound, gentle as a comforting lullaby penetrating to the depths of their hearts:
"Children of distant stars, welcome. You have arrived in a world that has long awaited your coming. Now you are no longer wanderers, but heirs, chosen by the Universe that has taken you under its protection and granted you strength."
She took a graceful step forward, and beneath her feet, silvery flowers bloomed, as if nature itself celebrated her words.
Next, the figure in gold spoke, her voice vibrant, full of joyful optimism capable of instilling courage even into the most frightened hearts:
"We sense your excitement, and it is beautiful! Your path is already marked on the tapestry of fate, and the entire Universe will respond to your intentions if you move forward with an open heart and determination!"
Finally, the amethyst figure spoke up, her voice strict and majestic, like a battle cry stirring the spirit and reinforcing the will:
"You were not chosen by chance. Your arrival is not an accident but the outcome of a great resonance. Your souls have been heard, and now you are not merely witnesses but participants in the events to come, upon which the future of the universe depends."
The blue figure gently inclined her head and spoke softly once more:
"This world will not test you; it will reveal you. Each of you already carries everything necessary within, so that your talents may flourish fully."
The golden figure joyfully added, as if reminding them of an upcoming celebration:
"Your true qualities are already clear to us. We will help uncover them. Each of your groups will receive a patron who will open new horizons of perception and help you see what has been hidden before."
The amethyst figure sharply raised her head, her gaze piercing everyone, and spoke with firmness, almost as a command:
"Accept this honor with dignity. Your awakening is not a battle, but an opportunity to manifest the greatness long residing within you."
The blue figure concluded the address, smiling softly:
"There is enough time. It will not be an obstacle but an ally. Ask, learn, and believe—nothing is impossible for you now."
The trio fell silent. The pressure, which had seemed eternal, slowly receded, and the students felt the air become light and clear again, allowing them to cautiously and fearfully lift their heads and slowly rise. Silence prevailed for several seconds—so complete that every breath could be heard. No one dared break it. Then, as if an echo of permission resonated in the air itself, Violetta spoke first, her voice trembling and barely audible:
Struggling to suppress her shiver, Violetta forced out her question:
"Where are we?..."
The blue figure answered calmly and gently, her voice reaching directly into their souls:
"You are exactly where you should be. This place is beyond names but filled with meaning. But if you desire a more precise answer, you are on the planet Elyra."
Logan's shaky voice broke the silence:
"Why us?"
The golden figure laughed brightly, brimming with energy and delight:
"Because you are ready! The stars chose you, and your arrival is no accident, but fate."
Liara, fighting her excitement, asked quietly:
"Is this… another world, or did ours change?"
The amethyst-clad man, grave and stern as if delivering orders, replied:
"This is another world. You have crossed the boundary of the familiar reality, and now you must move forward."
"Will we be able to return?" Luna asked, her voice almost cracking with tension.
The blue figure spoke gently, reassuringly:
"Whether you return depends entirely on you. The path forward is open, but there is no going back without transformation."
"Is this punishment or a gift?" Edmund's voice held an undercurrent of threat, laced with deep anxiety.
The golden figure lightly, smiling:
"Of course, a gift! An opportunity granted only to the chosen, to change not just themselves, but entire worlds. The entire universe!"
Henry Withers, mentor of Class A, broke his silence. His voice was firm and demanding, filled with deep authority:
"Why are we really here? What is our purpose and goal? Why were we singled out?"
For a moment, the trio fell silent, then the amethyst figure stepped forward, voice dark and serious, almost menacing:
"Because a great darkness is coming. A force capable of devouring all existence, snuffing out life at every point in creation. This darkness is already awakening, growing stronger. And only those chosen from beyond can stand against it, for your souls are not bound by the cycles and laws of this world. Your alien nature is the only weapon against the inevitable catastrophe."
A tense hush followed. Victoria gathered her courage and quietly said:
"What happened to Adam? Why is he not here with us?"
The blue figure did not answer at once. Several moments passed in silence, as though she listened to something far and unseen. Finally, her voice emerged gently, almost sorrowfully:
"He did not go with you. He stayed… there. Whether by his own choice, we cannot say. But you will see him again. Perhaps not in the form you once knew. Perhaps not at a time you expect."
Some exchanged glances. There was no falsehood in the blue figure's words, but no assurance either. Had he stayed by his own will? Was he even alive? Or used somehow?
"And Gabriel?" asked Luna, barely restraining the tremor in her voice.
The golden figure answered sooner than anyone expected. A peculiar excitement tinged her tone, as though observing a fascinating experiment:
"He has received the rarest gift of foresight. His third eye awakened, but too abruptly. His mind has absorbed not only the essence of this world, but echoes of countless others. Past, present, future—all superimposed, shattering ordinary perception. Right now, he is vulnerable, but he will survive. And when he awakens again… he will be different. What he was meant to be."
The amethyst figure stepped forward, voice commanding and resolute:
"Now you shall receive your gifts and power, but remember: this is not privilege, it is a tremendous responsibility."
The golden figure waved her hand, and glowing symbols shimmered in the air. A luminescent window appeared before Blake:
**Name: Alexander Blake**
**Race: Human (Carbon-based life form)**
**Level: 1**
**Class: Water Caster**
**Subclass: None**
**Primary Attributes:**
- Strength: 4
- Agility: 3
- Endurance: 4
- Intelligence: 6
- Charisma: 4
- Luck: 3
**Additional Attributes (cannot be raised by attribute points):**
- Spirituality: 2
- Perception: 4
- Willpower: 4
- Concentration: 3
- Composure: 4
- Courage: 4
- Wisdom: 2
- Fighting Spirit: 3
- Resilience: 3
- Allure: 2
- Leadership: 2
**Free Attribute Points: 3**
**Health: 10/10**
**Energy: 30/30 [Type: Magical — Water Elemental | Rank: I] Energy recovery speed: 1.0/5 min.**
**Skills:**
Water Manipulation [E rank | Lv. 1, 0/500 exp]
Fluid Attack [F rank | Lv. 1, 0/300 exp]
Fluid Defense [F rank | Lv. 1, 0/300 exp]
Skill Points: 3
**Abilities:**
- "Water Blade": Creates a sharp blade of water for melee combat, dealing physical and water damage.
- "Tidal Shield": Forms a dense liquid barrier, reducing incoming physical and magical damage.
- "Depth Breathing": Enables underwater respiration and increases energy recovery by 10% in water.
**Special Talents:**
- "Water Affinity": Accelerated mastery of water-element skills (+15% learning speed).
- "Innate Flexibility": Improved agility and evasion in aquatic combat (+10% dodge chance).
**Reputation: 0**
**Equipment:**
- Armor: None
- Weapon: None
- Accessories: None
**Note:**
Your combat strength at present is quite limited. You can reliably handle only minor threats. It is recommended you develop your skills and actively employ your abilities in combat and unusual circumstances to further enhance your potential.
Alexander Blake read the message, feeling his heart race as he realized the new possibilities and responsibilities placed upon him. He took a deep breath, knowing a challenging and exhilarating road lay ahead.
The trio fell silent; the tension dissipated. The air became light and transparent again.
Unease took hold of the meadow. Alexander Blake stared at the glowing window before him, eyes feverishly flicking across the lines, rereading them over and over.
"Water manipulation?" he whispered in amazement and disbelief. "Is that… possible?"
Nearby, Victoria Locks was studying her own window intently, her face deeply contemplative:
"It looks like a video game interface. Why?"
"Exactly! Why do we have these… gaming abilities?" Liara's voice trembled with both excitement and fear. "It feels unreal!"
Henry Withers frowned, looking up at the gods:
"Why display it like this? Why in the form of… a game?"
The blue figure smiled gently, her voice filled with calm and wisdom:
"Your minds interpret our gift in whatever way is easiest to comprehend. You are accustomed to games and leveling systems, so you perceive your new power that way. It's merely a convenient shell for your understanding. All of it is necessary for your further development."
The golden figure laughed joyfully, adding:
"Precisely! You'll be trained and taught, and soon you'll manifest the full power of your new gifts! But remember, your fate is to embark on a great journey. You can do it alone or stick together; the choice is yours."
The amethyst man nodded firmly, an unshakable seriousness in his tone:
"But you must scatter through the universe, gather strength and experience to face what's coming. The great darkness will not wait while you prepare. The sooner you grow strong, the better your chances."
The students exchanged tense looks. Blake lifted his hand slightly, picturing a stream of water. To his shock, his fingertips felt damp, as if he touched a lake's surface.
"Unbelievable…" he muttered, a mix of awe and a hint of fear.
"If this isn't actually a game, why do we have an interface?" Victoria asked skeptically, although her eyes gleamed with curiosity and intrigue.
"So that you clearly see your path of advancement," the blue figure explained calmly. "It will help you master your abilities more quickly and effectively oppose the encroaching darkness."
The golden figure eagerly went on:
"And now—rest. Anything your heart desires shall be granted. Our faithful servants await only your word," she said, voice bright and inspired, as though bestowing a grand feast upon them.
The amethyst figure stepped forward, gaze heavy and penetrating:
"We have done all that was necessary. From here, your path is yours alone. In a moment of genuine need—we will come. We are ever near. But do not be deceived: help will not come at your first cry."
The blue figure cast a long, contemplative look over everyone, then softly whispered almost tenderly:
"May Truth be with you… in all its many facets."
With those words, the trio vanished. The light faded, and with it disappeared the invisible pressure weighing upon their chests. For the first time since arriving in the meadow, everyone felt they could truly breathe, as if the unseen grip that had held their bodies and minds had loosened at last.
The procession at the meadow's edge had not uttered a sound. They did not move, did not breathe—it seemed time held no sway over them. Only after the gods were gone did their faces stir slightly, and the fanatical gleam in the servants' eyes turned upon the chosen ones with an expression of immeasurable anticipation and readiness.
One of the warriors, clad in armor, slowly approached Gabriel. Wordlessly, as though handling something infinitely precious, he gently lifted the boy in his arms and turned with reverence, beckoning the others to follow.
An elder priest took a step forward, breaking the silence for the first time in a deep, measured voice:
"Great Chosen Ones, come with us. Your rest and quarters are ready."
The chosen followed behind the procession, each step echoing softly in the air, like the mountain itself attending to their progress. None spoke—the only sounds were the rustle of garments, the faint squeak of armor, and the measured beat of footsteps. Their thoughts fluttered like caged birds: "Where are we? What happens next? Who are we now?"
Time turned fluid. None could tell if they walked a minute, an hour, or an eternity. Gradually, the surroundings changed. From the grandeur of the forest, they emerged onto a mountain ledge, confronting a colossal wall soaring into the sky as though the horizon had flipped. Its surface shimmered like living stone, as if it breathed, absorbing the glow of distant stars.
Enormous gates—skyscraper-high, carved with scenes of cosmic wars, rises and falls of civilizations—slowly parted, revealing something beyond human imagination.
Before them stretched a vista that could silence even gods. A city… no, a world-city, sprawling in every direction like a river of light and splendor. Giant snow-white towers, sparkling with thousands of crystal facets, pierced the sky, interconnected by floating bridges. Across them slid transport platforms reminiscent of transparent manta rays, carrying cargo and passengers. Creatures—some sentient, some clearly not—hovered in the air, while overhead drifted starships of shapes and sizes that seemed the fantasies of madmen.
The metropolis pulsed with life: music, light, energy, rituals, ancient tech and magic melding into one. There were cathedral domes, futuristic spires, waterfalls streaming straight off rooftops, creating an illusion of perpetual aqueous breath.
But the chosen did not head there. They were led along a separate pathway, winding upward along the mountain slope, toward another destination. Passing through an arch guarded by four silent sentries in curved, organic-looking armor, they reached a monumental structure—a castle carved as if from a single block of shining stone. It was so vast that some of its towers lost themselves in the clouds, and each balustrade could host an entire village.
Its facades displayed statues not only of gods, but also of other beings: heroes, fallen titans, faceless figures with hundreds of eyes. Tapestries seemingly woven from starlight itself swayed without wind. Crystals set into the walls emanated a gentle, pulsing radiance, while runes—some ancient, others shifting and changing—covered the entire building like the skin of a living titan.
Inside, the castle was no less astonishing. The ceilings resembled a night sky alive with stars, the floor a mirrorlike marble reflecting not people but their essences. Frescoes lined the walls, telling of worlds unknown, battles beyond time, and figures whose names had been seared from the universe's memory.
The scents within were elusive yet piercing: coniferous forest, sea salt, pollen of unearthly flowers, and something ancient, primeval. The air itself felt filled with knowledge and awareness, as if the castle were watching each newcomer.
The newly arrived, shaken to the core, moved slowly, as though not wanting to break the spell. And each understood: they had stepped into a domain where the familiar laws did not apply. A place where their new story would begin. A path from which there could be no turning back.