The sun was warm against Adrian's skin as he lay stretched out on the soft grass of the training field, staring up at the clear blue sky. The relentless training had finally given way to a rare day of rest, and Adrian was taking full advantage of it. His body ached from the endless hours spent perfecting his swordsmanship, but for once, there was no urgency driving him. Today, he could just be still.
It had been weeks since he'd discovered his innate ability, [Copy], and since then, his life had been a whirlwind of intense training and preparation. He had pushed himself harder than ever before, determined to master every technique he encountered. But now, as he closed his eyes and felt the gentle breeze on his face, he allowed himself to relax.
For the first time in a long while, Adrian's thoughts drifted back to Earth—back to the family he had left behind when he was whisked away to this strange world. His mother, his father, his older brother. He wondered what they were doing now, whether they had moved on or were still searching for answers.
He missed them more than he could put into words. His mother's warm smile, the way his father always gave him advice, even when he didn't ask for it, and the way his brother looked out for him, always a step ahead. The memories felt distant, like they belonged to a different life—a life that had been abruptly cut off when he was transported to Autera.
"Are they okay without me?" Adrian whispered to himself, his voice barely audible in the quiet of the afternoon. "Do they know I'm alive… somewhere?"
He often wondered if time moved differently between the two worlds. Had years passed on Earth? Or had only days gone by? It was a thought that haunted him, even as he threw himself into his training, trying to build a life for himself here. But no matter how much he tried to focus on the present, a part of him always longed for home.
Adrian sighed deeply, running a hand through his brown curly hair, feeling the softness of the grass beneath him. He had come to accept that this was his reality now. Autera, with its magic, demons, and endless battles, was where he belonged for the time being. But that didn't stop him from dreaming of one day finding a way back to Earth—to his family.
"I hope you're okay, Mom, Dad… Big Bro…" he muttered under his breath.
The world around him was peaceful, almost idyllic. Birds chirped in the trees, and the distant sounds of other soldiers training in the barracks reached his ears. For now, everything was calm.
But the calm never lasted long in this world.
Adrian's peace was abruptly interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching. He opened his eyes and sat up, squinting against the sunlight to see who was coming toward him.
It was Lucas, looking more serious than Adrian had ever seen him.
"Adrian!" Lucas called out, waving his hand as he jogged closer.
"What's going on?" Adrian asked, standing up and brushing the grass off his pants.
Lucas stopped in front of him, slightly out of breath. "Captain Mohan's calling for us. We've been drafted for an official mission."
Adrian's heart skipped a beat. "An official mission? What kind of mission?"
Lucas shook his head. "I don't know the details yet, but it's serious. The captain says we're needed immediately."
The peaceful afternoon suddenly felt distant, the weight of responsibility crashing down on Adrian like a heavy blanket. He had known this day would come—the day he would be sent on a real mission, not just training exercises or mock battles. But that didn't make it any easier to process.
Adrian nodded, his mind shifting into focus. "Alright. Let's go."
Adrian and Lucas arrived at the barracks, where Captain Mohan was waiting for them. The air was thick with tension, and Adrian could feel the seriousness of the situation even before the captain spoke.
Mohan stood tall, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression grim. He wasted no time with pleasantries.
"Adrian, Lucas," Mohan began, his voice steady but firm. "You're both coming with me on a mission. We've been tasked with investigating a disturbance near the border of Ardenvale. Reports are coming in about increased demon activity, and we need to assess the situation."
"Demon activity?" Lucas asked, frowning. "I thought we pushed them back after the last battle."
"We did," Mohan said, his eyes narrowing. "But something's changed. These demons aren't just raiding villages. They're organizing, gathering in large numbers. It's more than just random attacks. We suspect someone—or something—is leading them."
Adrian's hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his sword. His mind flashed back to the battles he had fought, the bloodshed he had witnessed. The demons they had faced were powerful, but disorganized. If they were becoming organized, it meant something much worse was on the horizon.
"What's our objective?" Adrian asked, his voice calm but tense.
"Our primary goal is to gather information," Mohan replied. "We need to know what's happening and why. But if we encounter any threats, we'll neutralize them. This is no ordinary scouting mission. Be prepared for anything."
Adrian nodded, the weight of the situation settling in his chest. This was it—the first real mission under his captain's command. No more training, no more preparation. This was the battlefield, and there was no room for hesitation.
"Gather your gear and meet me at the gates in fifteen minutes," Mohan ordered. "We leave immediately."
As Adrian and Lucas turned to prepare, Adrian's mind raced. He had spent so long training, honing his abilities, and now it was time to put everything to the test. The thought of facing demons again made his blood run cold, but there was also a strange sense of excitement bubbling beneath the surface.
He glanced at Lucas, who was already gearing up, his expression serious but determined. Adrian felt a surge of gratitude for his friend's presence. They had been through so much together, and now they were about to face their greatest challenge yet.
But as Adrian strapped on his sword and adjusted his gear, his thoughts drifted back to his family on Earth. He had promised himself that he would return to them one day. But first, he had to survive this world. He had to become stronger, not just for himself, but for the people he cared about in both worlds.
The mission ahead was dangerous, but Adrian was ready. His path as a swordsman was clear, and he would walk it with unwavering determination.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the barracks, Adrian and Lucas made their way to the gates, where Captain Mohan was waiting.
"Are you ready?" Mohan asked, his eyes gleaming with the fire of a seasoned warrior.
Adrian tightened his grip on his sword and nodded. "I'm ready."
With that, they set out into the unknown, the weight of their mission hanging over them like a storm cloud. Adrian's heart raced with anticipation and fear, but he pushed it all aside.
This was his path now, and he would see it through to the end.
But deep down, in the quiet corners of his mind, Adrian couldn't help but wonder—what awaited him at the border? And would he ever find a way back to his family on Earth?
The answers were just beyond the horizon.