In the bustling city of New York, where towering skyscrapers reached for the sky, lived a young man named Alex. At the age of 22, he was a master's student studying cybersecurity, spending his days engrossed in codes and algorithms. With a good height, an average face, and a healthy physique, Alex moved through life with an unassuming presence. Little did he know that his ordinary life was about to take an extraordinary turn.
One fine morning, as he opened the door to his cupboard, he froze in shock. Instead of seeing his neatly arranged belongings, he was met with an endless void of darkness. His heart raced, and a chill ran down his spine. Was this some prank? Or had he stumbled upon a hidden compartment he didn't know existed?
Curiosity outweighed fear, and against his better judgment, Alex took a deep breath and stepped into the darkness. As soon as he did, a sensation akin to falling from a height enveloped him, gravity itself pulling him downwards. But this sensation ceased as swiftly as it had begun. He took a moment to steady himself and gather his thoughts. Once certain of his well-being, he surveyed his surroundings.
To his astonishment, he found himself in a place unlike any he had ever seen. Rows of unique cupboards stretched in every direction, with people stepping in and out as if they were ordinary doorways. The hubbub of chatter and movement was punctuated by the soft creaking of cupboard doors.
Amidst the bewilderment, Alex questioned aloud, "Why are people emerging from these cupboards? Who are they? Where am I? What in the world is happening?" His voice, a mix of bewilderment and disbelief, seemed to get absorbed by the surreal environment.
He looked around, observing the distinct cupboards adorned with peculiar markings that whispered of something extraordinary. The markings seemed to shift and shimmer in the soft, otherworldly light as if telling stories of the mysteries.
Confusion turned to bewilderment when a man dressed in elegant butler attire approached a lost Alex. The man's attire, a seamless blend of old-world charm and contemporary refinement, stood in stark contrast to the world Alex was familiar with. The butler's appearance seemed almost theatrical, like a character from a well-rehearsed play.
Pointing respectfully at a gleaming golden key resting in the cupboard he had emerged from, the butler's voice was polished and gentle as he uttered a single word: "KEY" The single syllable carried a weight of significance, which brought Alex out of his reverie.
Stunned, Alex hesitated, then tentatively picked up the key. The metal felt cool against his skin, its intricate design a testament to the attention to detail that had gone into its creation. Turning it over in his hands, he expected to hand it back to the man, who, to his surprise, had disappeared. Left alone with the key, Alex puzzled over its significance, feeling the weight of the key in his hands.
As he admired the key's regal beauty, he noticed some number like "丨己꧰丩" etched onto it. The etching was delicate yet legible, a mark of craftsmanship that suggested the key's importance. Puzzled, he looked around, only to see the man from earlier reappear beside the cupboard. The reappearance of the man seemed to confirm that this place operated under rules that he had yet to comprehend fully.
Approaching the man, Alex witnessed a brief shimmer before the cupboard returned to normal. A man in classy attire emerged, and the butler bowed, saying, "Sir, here is the duplicate key you requested for cabinet 1205." The exchange between the two was swift yet oddly ceremonious as if it were a dance performed countless times. "Is there anything else I can assist you with?" the butler inquired, his words echoing.
The man accepted the key with a nod of gratitude and replied, "No, thanks." With that, the man departed with the key, the simplicity of the exchange belying the complexity of this place.
It was at that moment the butler's gaze fell upon Alex. Approaching with a confident stride, the man inquired, "Sir, do you need a duplicate key for your transportation cabinet as well?" His tone was polite yet held an underlying expectation.
Caught off guard, Alex hesitated, his mind racing to consider the consequences. "No, I don't," he finally managed to reply, his voice betraying a mix of confusion and anxiety. The words hung in the air for a moment before the butler's measured response and subsequent departure.
As the butler bowed and withdrew, Alex's heart raced. A blend of panic and hope surged within him as he opened the cupboard he emerged from, hoping to return to his familiar world. The familiar texture of the wooden interior met his touch, unchanged by the events that had transpired. The normalcy of the cupboard's interior offered no solace, leaving him to grapple with the unfamiliarity of his surroundings.
Overwhelmed, Alex struggled to collect himself. He approached a passerby, a person in elegant attire reminiscent of a bygone era. Desperation evident, Alex asked, "Sir, I cannot enter the cupboard. What happened? Where am I?" The words tumbled out, a jumbled expression of his inner turmoil.
The stranger regarded him with an arched eyebrow, scepticism in his gaze. "Did you snort a drug or drink high-quality Abari wine?" the stranger inquired matter-of-factly. Perplexed by the odd question, Alex watched the stranger walk away, leaving him to his thoughts.
Alex, his emotions in turmoil, shifted his approach and decided to approach another person. Fortunately, this kind soul was willing to answer his questions, albeit with an odd look. The juxtaposition of kindness and curiosity on the stranger's face spoke of the varied experiences that this place held.
The kind stranger, his voice carrying a touch of empathy, explained the rules of the transportation hub—a space for space transmissions and teleportations. He clarified that the GOLD teleportation cabinet, like the one Alex used, could be utilized once a day, unlike the more privileged PLATINUM version. Currently, he is in the GOLD Hub, exclusive to GOLD members, Alex processed the information before the stranger departed, leaving him to his thoughts.
After digesting the information, Alex's only option was to follow the crowd exiting the transportation hub. Lost in thought, as he stepped onto the street, he was struck speechless. The sights and sounds were beyond imagination—countless stalls displaying unfamiliar wares, enticing foods, and unfamiliar creatures. The symphony of colours, scents, and sounds washed over him, a vivid tapestry of the unfamiliar.
Walking in a daze, Alex absorbed this new world. His mind raced with questions. How had he ended up here? What was this place? And, most importantly, how would he find his way back? The weight of uncertainty settled upon him, like an invisible burden he had no choice but to carry.
Amid this whirlwind of thoughts, one thing remained clear: Alex's life had irrevocably changed. The journey ahead promised to be extraordinary. Each step he took in this fantastical world was a step into the unknown, a path that would redefine his understanding of reality and challenge the boundaries of the ordinary.