Morning broke over the enchanted forest.
The first rays of sunlight pierced through the thick canopy, painting golden patterns across the dew-kissed grass.
Birdsong swelled in layers, each new trill and whistle joining the chorus.
Small creatures scurried through the underbrush— a squirrel nibbling a nut, a family of rabbits bouncing merrily nearby, and high above, a lynx stretched lazily across a branch.
Nature, in its perfect balance, seemed untouched by time— idyllic, alive, and utterly unaware.
And into this peaceful world stumbled a mage.
He emerged from the bushes, swaying slightly, looking around the camp with bleary eyes.
Still cloaked in yesterday's fatigue… and the undeniable yearning for another drink.
— "Right, let's take stock… In this whole blasted forest, I have a better chance of finding a talking raccoon than a decent bottle of wine. Couldn't someone have left a little something under a tree? Where am I, anyway? And who the hell slept here?"
He wandered toward the shelter made of branches, squinting at it like it might be some alien sculpture.
— "What is this? A modern art exhibit? Who builds like this—dwarves? Children? Me?! No way I was that drunk last night…"
He began poking around the camp, opening bags and peeking under makeshift coverings.
He found a small pouch—Kano's.
No wine, of course. Just a few sad berries.
He sniffed them with suspicion.
— "Marvelous. What is this? Pigeon snacks? Or maybe enchanted berries that turn water into wine? Now that would be a spell worth learning…"
His attention shifted back to the shelter.
Curiosity sparked.
But before disturbing whoever lay inside, the mage had a better idea.
A dramatic one.
A legendary one.
— "Oh, this is going to be fun. First—thunder. Then—lightning. And finally—me, eyes ablaze with sapphire fire! What will you say then, mysterious inhabitant of this woodland hut? Will you not tremble before this glorious mad elf?!"
He stepped to the center of the clearing, arms raised to the sky.
His face twisted with focus, and the air around him shimmered with power.
A storm rolled in, dark clouds gathering as if summoned from the void itself.
Winds howled, bending trees and setting leaves flying in spirals of chaos.
The first thunderclap cracked the sky like a thousand drums.
Lightning lanced through the clouds, splitting them open with furious light.
The mage's eyes blazed blue—unreal and burning beyond their sockets.
Flames of magic etched wild patterns across his face.
His silhouette twisted, almost inhuman— a cloak flaring in the storm winds, fingers dancing with sparks.
The earth beneath him cracked, glowing red from the smoky fissures, as if he stood at the mouth of a waiting volcano.
A bolt of lightning struck a tree nearby—splitting it in half and igniting the foliage.
Panic swept the forest.
Animals bolted through the undergrowth, leaves rustled like whispers of doom.
And then— another bolt struck the hut.
Kano burst out, coughing, stumbling, hair wild, covered in ash and dust.
He froze in the chaos, staring at the mage who stood wreathed in fire and smoke like a creature from myth itself.
— "Wh–what… what is this?!" — he gasped, trembling.
And then— his legs gave out.
He collapsed to the ground and everything went black.
Darkness.
Silence.
Eternity.
Kano stood in a void where time no longer moved.
From the shadows, a dragon emerged.
Its body glowed like molten steel, eyes burning like twin stars that pierced into his soul.
Each movement was slow, heavy with grief and immeasurable power.
The dragon rose, as if preparing for one final stand.
And then— its form began to unravel.
Wings turned to wind.
Its spine cracked apart, scattering into glittering shards.
And at the center— a heart, pulsing red, grew brighter until it bathed the void in light.
Before Kano, artifacts began to form:
A sword—sharp as destiny.
An amulet—pulsing with life.
A breastplate—vibrating like a heartbeat.
But it was the helmet that held him.
Bathed in red light, humming with magic, it hovered like a living soul.
It rose into the sky, cut through the darkness, and— fell.
Downward.
Onto a familiar clearing.
A stone swallowed it whole, hiding it beneath the earth like a buried truth.
The vision faded into mist.
And Kano— fell into shadow.
He jolted awake, gasping, heart hammering like a war drum.
The dragon's voice still echoed in his head.
He looked around, dizzy, trying to catch a thought—any thought.
And then he saw him.
The mage.
Standing calmly, hands folded, looking absolutely… pleased with himself.
— "YOU—WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" — Kano shouted, scrambling to his feet.
The mage arched a brow, perfectly serene.
— "Ah, wonderful! You're awake. So, tell me—how's your morning, forest dweller? And what shall I call you?"
Kano jabbed a trembling finger at the mage, shaking with rage.
— "You! You almost killed me! You nearly burned down the forest! You... YOU! Who does something like that?! And my name is Kano Rom!!"
The mage placed a hand over his heart and gave a theatrical bow.
— "Ah, yes, I've been called the greatest mage of all time, master of the arcane arts, legendary genius, and so on… But you, dear forest friend, may simply call me Elghot Belatras. I merely helped you wake up. Think of it as… education. Or, more accurately, a little drama added to this otherwise dull, colorless world."
Kano crossed his arms, practically seething.
— "Drama?! That was the beginning of the apocalypse! You're the worst excuse for a mage I've ever seen!"
Elghot, unbothered and still smiling, gave a casual shrug.
— "Perhaps. But look at you—full of energy, alive, not too bad, eh?"
Kano was ready to explode.
But suddenly, he stopped.
The dream—the vision—came rushing back.
It hit him like a silent wave, undeniable and vivid.
He turned sharply, ignoring the elf.
— "Enough. You're just infuriating."
Without another word, he strode to the center of the clearing— to the large stone from his dream.
Kano walked with purpose, heart racing, hands trembling.
He dropped to his knees and began digging around the stone with frantic energy.
Elghot tilted his head, watching from a distance, clearly intrigued.
— "What's this? Trying to find treasure? Forgot your shovel?"
Kano didn't answer.
His hands were moving fast, tossing aside earth with wild precision.
His heartbeat thundered in his chest.
And then— his fingers brushed against something solid.
Carefully, reverently, he brushed the dirt away.
And there it was.
The helmet.
It looked magnificent.
Its surface was etched with fine, dragon-scale-like patterns that shimmered with a deep, crimson glow.
Two elegantly curved horns swept backward, giving it a regal, yet dangerous presence.
And from within… there was warmth.
Comfort.
As if it had waited just for him.
Kano lifted it gently.
A soft, glowing light bathed his face.
For a moment— the world held its breath.
Elghot, now standing closer, blinked, suddenly unsure.
— "Huh... That's… not just a lump of metal," he muttered under his breath.
Kano stood, the helmet in his hands, eyes lit with something deeper than just wonder—purpose.
— "This is the beginning," he whispered.
He lifted it from the ground like it was made of glass.
Heavy.
Cold.
Alive.
Sunlight broke through the leaves, striking the helmet and igniting it in a fiery glow.
Kano stood still, taking in every line, every glowing scale.
"This... this is incredible. The helmet looks carved from a single dragon scale. That red glow—like blood flowing through living veins. The patterns… they move, weaving symbols I can't even comprehend. And the horns… elegant, deadly, forged for a god of war. Even the shape—it fits not just a warrior, but a legend."
He held it like the most precious thing in the world.
And something deep within him—confidence, belief, fate—began to bloom.
Elghot, silent until now, stepped closer, arms crossed, and stared down at the artifact.
— "Well, congratulations, boy. You've found a treasure. Though frankly, it looks like an old cooking pot someone left behind after a picnic.
Maybe if you wear it on your head, you'll forget you're hungry?"
Kano didn't respond to the sarcasm.
He was lost in the moment.
— "This helmet… it's an artifact. I'm sure of it. It was made for a hero who would save the world. This is destiny."
Elghot rolled his eyes and burst out laughing.
— "A hero, huh? Are you sure this hero won't trip over his own feet five steps in? Though I guess if he's wearing that, at least he won't crack his skull. Perfect for someone who chases rabbits and falls over a lot."
Kano shot him a glare.
— "Do you even hear what I'm saying?"
Elghot tapped his chin in mock thought, then spread his arms with a grin.
— "An artifact, yes, of course! Surely the greatest artifact for warding off branch attacks. Maybe even repels mosquitoes. But where, oh great chosen one, is the mana? The power? I'm a mage, you know. If there was magic here—I'd feel it. And this"—he pointed at the helmet—"this is just dead metal."
Kano clenched his jaw.
— "You don't understand anything! Fate brought me here. The helmet chose me!"
Elghot sighed with great theatrical flair.
— "Of course it did. Naturally. It chose you. Not me, nooo, not even though I've probably walked past that stone a million times. Maybe you planted it there, hmm? Buried it yesterday to impress me today? Clever trick, boy!"
Kano looked at the helmet in his hands with pride burning in his chest.
— "This artifact will make me strong. You'll see."
Elghot leaned in with a sly grin.
— "Let's hope your newfound power helps you not get lost in the forest."
Their argument dragged on a few more minutes.
Kano defended the helmet with the fervor of a zealot, while Elghot kept tossing sarcastic jabs like arrows dipped in smugness.
But then, the mage glanced up— and noticed the sun beginning to dip beyond the tree line.
— "Ah, look at that. While you were giving impassioned speeches about destiny, the day decided to end. I do hope your legendary helmet knows how to find a place to sleep."
Kano stared into the helmet, as if it might whisper an answer.
Elghot only smiled, waiting for what would come next.
Standing amidst the remains of their charred camp, Kano clutched the helmet to his chest like it was the last warm thing in a cold world.
Then his stomach growled.
Loudly.
Loud enough to startle the few remaining birds from the branches overhead.
Elghot raised an eyebrow.
— "Oh dear, young man, sounds like your legendary fate is hunting not for ancient relics, but for dinner. Might I suggest some bark? Or a handful of leaves? They say it builds character."
Kano narrowed his eyes.
— "Character, huh? You're really leaning into that 'wise old wizard' routine, aren't you? And here I thought mages were supposed to, I don't know—conjure food or something. Or can you only summon lightning and heart attacks?"
Maybe if I tease him enough, Kano thought, he'll want to prove me wrong. Use some real magic.
Or maybe… he's not as powerful as he pretends to be.
Elghot plopped down on a fallen log, grabbed a stick, and began drawing aimlessly in the dirt.
— "Boy, let me tell you something. Your stomach complains louder than your mouth. But if you think I'm going to play chef out here, think again. This might be the perfect moment for you to discover something wonderful: Your own magic. Imagine your dinner."
— "Imagine it?!" Kano barked. "Maybe you should imagine not blowing up shelters with your dramatic temper tantrums! I had food! I had a camp!"
— "You had a handful of berries. If you'd eaten those, your stomach would still be howling. You're welcome. I saved you from digestive disappointment."
Kano inhaled deeply, fighting the urge to scream.
But Elghot suddenly looked up, his tone shifting.
— "You still haven't told me how you got here. You look… strange for these woods. What'd you do? Get exiled for something idiotic? Or wander in on purpose?"
Kano froze.
Memories stirred— the dream, the fall, the beginning.
— "Honestly… I don't know how I got here."
— "Oh? What do you know?" Elghot asked, genuinely curious.
Kano stared off for a moment, then said quietly:
— "I remember dying. It happened in my world. I died saving a girl from a train."
Elghot's brow arched, but he didn't interrupt.
— "After that… I woke up in the sky. There was a goddess. But she was… well, insane, honestly. Arguing with herself about what powers to give me. And when I finally picked something that made sense, she just dropped me here—like I was some kind of test. Oh—and a dragonling tried to eat me. I'm not joking."
— "A dragonling?" Elghot echoed, half-mocking.
— "Yes!
Tiny. Red. Jumped out of nowhere like a video game boss. I thought I was done for. And now I'm here. Just… thrown away."
Elghot leaned back and burst out laughing.
— "Ha! Kid, you definitely hit your head when you landed. And probably lost a few memories along the way. That story? That's the most absurd thing I've heard in years."
Suddenly, Kano dropped to his knees before the mage, desperation in his voice.
— "Please. I don't know what to do. Help me understand this world."
Elghot sighed, waving a hand dismissively.
— "Alright, alright… But don't think I'm doing this out of kindness. You're just too weird to ignore."
"This boy's a riddle," Elghot mused. "He found a helmet I never sensed. His story's insane… But there's a logic to his madness. If fate's playing a game here— I want to see how it ends."
Without warning, Elghot stood up, extended a hand, and swept it through the air.
The world stopped.
Wind.
Sound.
Even the rustling trees froze mid-motion.
Kano gaped as Elghot calmly walked to the stream— and began pulling out fish with his bare hands.
— "You… you just stopped time?!"
Beneath the Same Stars
— "Come on," Elghot said over his shoulder. "You tell tall tales, I'll make dinner."
The fire crackled softly, sending fragrant waves of roasted fish through the clearing.
Elghot sat comfortably on a fallen log, lazily glancing at Kano, who was still sulking with his helmet clutched protectively against his chest like it might run off without him.
The mage smirked.
— "Well, young man, are you happy now? Dinner is nearly ready. Your stomach was about to start summoning forest spirits."
— "Thanks," Kano muttered. "But you could've done this half a day ago."
Elghot shrugged.
— "You don't understand the true value of a meal until you've been properly hungry.
Now eat, and quit being offended."
Kano grabbed a piece of fish, but instead of eating, he stared thoughtfully at the mage.
— "You said you'd help me understand this world. So start talking. Where am I?"
Elghot tilted his head, weighing how much to say.
— "Alright. Listen closely. This world is made up of six continents—each with its own history, culture… and, naturally, problems. But there's also something else. A hidden layer beneath it all. A shadow realm—an underworld of sorts—where the unwanted dwell, and where secrets sleep that should never see the light of day."
Kano put the fish aside, leaning in.
— "Shadow realm? That sounds… ominous."
Elghot gave a crooked smile.
— "You have no idea. The underworld is connected to ours through portals—hidden inside enchanted labyrinths, ancient ruins, or even ordinary caves. But don't think you can just walk in. Those gates are guarded by monsters—creatures made to keep them shut."
Kano's brow furrowed as he tried to imagine it.
— "And who lives in this world?"
Elghot leaned back and began reciting as if from memory:
— "There are seven major races: Humans—clever, adaptable. Elves—wise, but arrogant. Dwarves—masters of steel and invention. Demons—alchemists and beast tamers. Beastkin—swift, resilient. The Undead—those who were brought back, though far less terrifying than you'd think. And the Orcs—brutal warriors, physically dominant. They've carved out territory on every continent."
Kano nodded slowly, trying to absorb it all.
Then Elghot paused.
His gaze grew distant. A shadow passed across his face.
— "But… there are those no one claims."
Kano leaned forward.
— "Who?"
The mage sighed and looked away.
— "Children born from cruelty. When war turns men into monsters… and they violate women of other races, what's left behind… are souls without a place. These children belong nowhere. Neither to humans, nor demons, nor beastkin. They're outcasts from birth—living in a world that never asked for them. Every breath they take is a battle to survive."
Kano fell silent.
The fire cast flickering light across Elghot's face, outlining the lines of old memories.
— "That's… horrifying," Kano said softly.
Elghot nodded.
— "Yes. But they often grow stronger than their parents. Their pain becomes their strength. Still… this world was never made for them."
He fell quiet, staring into the flames as if searching for something he had long lost.
Kano sat still, eyes drawn again to the helmet resting beside him.
This world… it's brutal. But if I have even the smallest chance to change it— I'll take it.
I don't know if the helmet truly chose me…
But I won't let its purpose go to waste.
Elghot finally stood, stretched, and looked up at the sky.
— "Well then. Night's coming fast. Let's save the philosophy for morning."
— "So… what now?" Kano asked.
Elghot smiled and waved a hand lazily.
— "We sleep here. You're a hero, aren't you? Time to prove you can nap on the dirt."
Kano sighed heavily but didn't argue.
He lay down beside the fire, the helmet close—like a sacred relic.
Elghot reclined nearby, hands behind his head, eyes on the stars.
In his thoughts:
"This boy… He's stranger than he looks. But there's something in him. I'll keep an eye on this one. Just in case he really is a hero."
The forest darkened.
And under a sky strewn with stars, the two travelers drifted into sleep, the crackle of the fire their only lullaby.