---

The room shook as Dr. Adler slammed his hand onto the table, causing the wood to vibrate with the force of his frustration. His voice rose with urgency, echoing through the room. "You have to believe me!" He was dressed in a sharp suit, but his usual confidence had been replaced by desperation. In front of him sat an audience of respected intellectuals and military leaders, their faces filled with doubt and curiosity.

"Dr. Adler, your behavior is inappropriate for this setting," said a stern man from the front row, his voice cold and dismissive. "You stand here, in front of us, the brightest minds in the field, and claim that there is a parallel dimension? The idea that a portal exists, right next to ours, is ridiculous. Our entire understanding of the universe is built on years of space exploration and technology. And yet you expect us to believe it based on a photograph?"

Unshaken, Dr. Adler met the man's gaze with unwavering resolve. "And what if I have proof?" he challenged, his voice carrying a sharp edge of defiance.

"Proof? What kind of proof could you possibly have?" another voice sneered, clearly unconvinced.

"Let him speak," a commanding voice from the back of the room cut through the murmurs. A tall, authoritative woman gestured for silence, her presence commanding attention.

Dr. Adler nodded gratefully, moving swiftly to connect his laptop to the projector. The room went silent as images began to appear on the screen.

"This," Dr. Adler began, his voice filled with excitement, "is a photo I took three years ago, near my home, deep underwater. What you're seeing here is not just a random underwater structure; it's a glowing 'X,' a mysterious mark beneath the ocean's surface. But watch what happens when I show you the same spot a year later."

With a click, the image changed. The glowing mark had grown brighter, and now there was a strange structure—almost like a golden gate, but cracked and damaged.

He clicked again, and the next image showed a vibrant, purple light emanating from the location. It wasn't just an anomaly; it was a clear portal to something beyond—something impossible. Creatures from myths—dragons, dinosaurs, and giant serpents—danced through the skies of an unfamiliar world.

A wave of disbelief swept through the room. "This is absurd!" someone yelled. "You can't expect us to buy into this fantasy!"

Dr. Adler tried to call out to the crowd, but his voice was drowned by their jeering. No one listened. The room, once filled with interest, was now emptying, as the audience turned their backs, unwilling to entertain such wild claims.

"Please, listen to me!" Dr. Adler pleaded, but his words fell on deaf ears.

Finally, a man in a suit stepped forward, handing Dr. Adler a letter. "You are dismissed," he said coldly. "No more." His voice was final, leaving no room for argument.

Dr. Adler's hands shook as he accepted the letter, his heart sinking. The document was clear—it was the end of his career. He turned to Dr. Albert, an old colleague, and begged for help. "Please, I know this is hard to believe, but we are facing a disaster. The portal, this world, it's real, and if we don't act, it will destroy us all."

Dr. Albert looked away, his face pained. "You were my friend once, Adler. But this obsession, your refusal to let go... It's cost you everything. I'm sorry, but I can't help you."

Security guards stepped forward, pushing Dr. Adler out of the room. He glanced one last time at the place he had once called home—his office, now reduced to a lonely space filled with the remains of his failed career. He whispered, almost to himself, "Chase, I've failed you."

As the door closed behind him, Dr. Adler walked out of the building. His heart felt heavy with regret. The only place left for him now was the coastal home he had retreated to after losing everything. His dream, his work, was now just a fading memory.

---

Meanwhile, in a small house far from the city, a 14-year-old boy sat quietly. His dark hair fell around his face, hiding the weariness in his eyes. He was trying to distract himself, but the weight of the world seemed to press down on him. He heard a knock at the door, and immediately, he stood up and ran to greet the person on the other side.

"Dad!" the boy called out, his voice filled with relief as he hugged his father tightly. "You're home."

Dr. Adler, looking older and more broken than before, pulled back and sighed. "I've failed, Chase," he said, his voice full of regret. "I couldn't convince them. I couldn't stop what's coming."

Chase looked up at his father, determination in his eyes. "Don't say that, Dad. You tried everything. We'll find a way to make them believe us, together."

And so, despite the crushing weight of his father's failure, Chase vowed to continue the fight. They weren't giving up—not yet.