Ryan POV
Everything was fine for Ryan until he started having weird dreams.
In his dream, he dreamt that he was a bodybuilder that wielded a hammer and smash people's skulls. He only woke up every time when he got smacked in the head.
"Crap…" Ryan rubbed his pounding head as he got up from the bed. Banging his fists on the mattress, Ryan started growling as he tried to ease the pounding pain in his head. "Why. Can't. It. Fkin. STOP!" Ryan literally yelled out that last word.
"You okay honey?" a woman's voice sounded outside the room. It was Ryan's mother.
"Yeah. Yeah, mom. I'm fine." Ryan lied and stood up. Changing into a fresh pair of clothes. Ryan stumbled out of his room.
"You look tired. Are you having weird dreams again?"
Ryan nodded his head and grabbed a piece of bread. Stuffing it inside his mouth, Ryan stayed silent and tried to ease the pain in his head. Ever since he started having those weird dreams, he hadn't had a good night's sleep.
"I'm going out," Ryan said and opened the house door as he finished eating. "I wont be coming back tonight. I've got a sleepover organized at James's house."
"Stay safe!" his mom called after him in the kitchen.
Ryan walked outside slowly, trying to clear his mind. The dream felt so real today that the back of his head actually still hurt.
"Ryan!" a boy's voice sounded. Ryan turned to find himself headbutted by his friend, James.
Coughing, Ryan kicked James and yelled. "For gods sake James McLaren! Is your head made out of iron?"
James laughed.
"Nope. Its just that you're too weak."
Ryan just wanted to reply him when his head started to pound heavily again.
The pain inflicted made Ryan squat down clutching his head groaning. "Ryan you ok?" James tried helping Ryan up but to no avail. The pain inside his head became heavier and heavier by every second. In one instance, he even saw two different scenes with his eyes. One was James rummaging through his sling bag to grab some aspirin. Another was himself lying down facing the ceiling with a few different voices surrounding him that he just couldn't make out.
"My… head…" Ryan managed to spurt two words until his head throbbed like it was gonna explode.
"ARRRRGH!" Ryan screamed. "MY HEAD!!!!"
"Whoa whoa whoa. Ryan. Aspirin." James said as he carefully handed one pill to Ryan.
Gulping down the aspirin, Ryan breathed heavily, trying to calm down the ease the pain. "I'm sorry James. I need to get some air." Ryan said and mustered his strength to stand up.
Leaving James alone, Ryan walked slowly without aim. As if doing so was the only way left for him to ease the pain in his head.
When he finally realized what he was doing, he found himself by the riverside on the outskirts of the town. Staring at the river, Ryan closed his eyes, listening to the soft crashing sounds of the river flow, Ryan's throbbing head started to ease.
"Relaxing isn't it?" an old man's voice suddenly sounded beside him.
Turning his head Ryan found himself standing beside an old man in his 80s, wearing a pair of sunglasses and barefoot.
Ryan sighed.
"Yes. Yes, it is."
The both of them stayed silent until the old man spoke. "You can call me Chaos."
"Like an alias?" Ryan raised an eyebrow and asked. The old man did not answer him. Instead, he said. "My, how fast time flies. It feels like just yesterday I was your age, pondering the mysteries of the world."
"Which many of them are already known," Ryan answered.
Hearing this, Chaos shook his head slowly.
"You are wrong young man. There are still many mysteries of the world that is still unknown to the people. Take for an example, the universe. Can you say that the humans have managed to explore every edge of the universe?"
Ryan shook his head.
Chaos continued.
"Mysteries indeed. They surround us, hidden beneath the surface of our perception. Tell me young one. What fascinated you about the unknown?"
Ryan smiled. Talking about the universe was something that Ryan was an expert about. Ever since he was a child, he had always wanted to become an astronaut to explore the vast unknown universe.
"Basically everything, really. The vastness of the universe, the secrets of ancient civilizations, and the enigmatic force that shapes our reality. It's as if there's an unseen tapestry connecting all things, waiting to be unraveled."
Chaos smiled too.
"Ah, the tapestry of existence. Many spend their lives searching for the threads that bind it all together, seeking purpose and understanding. But tell me, have you ever considered playing a role in this grand design?"
Ryan kept quiet. He did not know how to answer that question.
"Destiny has a way of revealing itself in unexpected ways. Often when we least expect it. Let me ask you this question, young man. Do you believe in gods?"
Ryan looked at the old man, studying him. Finally, he spoke.
"Yes, I do."
"And would you wish to be one?"
Ryan laughed.
"Who doesn't? Everybody wants to be a god. Immortal, powerful and bestowed with cool powers. Do you get the feeling of controlling the lives of mortals? That would be fun."
Chaos smiled wider.
"So you would wish to be a god?" Chaos asked again to confirm.
"Yeah. Who doesn't?" Ryan laughed as he squat down to pick up a rock.
"So be it," Chaos muttered softly and the clouds around them started to darken.
Picking up a rock, Ryan stood up to throw the rock into the river. He had always liked to do so since young. Trying to see how many times will the rock skip across the river. Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit him. Ryan gritted his teeth and turned towards Chaos for help but Chaos was already nowhere to be seen.
"Don't…" Ryan muttered as everything went black.