"Where am I?" That was the last question he asked himself when he realized where he was.
The echo of his steps was lost in this new domain, a vast wasteland where life had withdrawn, leaving behind only the nakedness of the earth and sky. As he looked up, what seemed like nothing took shape; huge gears, like relics of fallen giants, turned with a metallic lament under the twilight sky. Each step raised dust that stained his skin, a rough mix of ash and metal that clung to his lips, bitter to the taste. The air vibrated with the sound of metal against metal, a desolate symphony that resonated in his chest, felt more than heard. The sky, a canvas of dark orange, dyed everything with its dying light, turning the gears into dancing shadows on the cracked ground. In this vastness, the smell of molten iron mixed with that of burnt earth, a palpable reminder that, even in desolation, the trace of what once was persists.
Various emotions emerged from the depths of his being, curiously there was no fear or loneliness. Strangely, he found the sensation of the place comforting, which led to a feeling of confusion because he had never been in that place but it seemed and felt like he had come home.
He continued walking through the wasteland with an oddly calm gaze. Shortly after, he came across a small hill that stood out in such a lonely and sad place. Approaching, he could feel his heart beating, his heart rate was accelerating, and a feeling of longing was killing him inside. Whatever was on top of the hill, he had to know. Slowly climbing up the hill of burnt earth and ash, he found what at first glance might seem like a piece of rusty metal, focusing his sight he realized that what protruded was a handle, a sword handle.
"What is this feeling in my chest? The sword is calling me. Can I feel its eagerness, but also my longing, why?"
With slow but sure steps, he placed his hand on the handle, caressing it as if it were a fragile and vulnerable object. With a twist of his wrist, he imposed his firm grip on the handle of the sword, lifting it high.
At the top of the hill, one could see the sword that the man was holding, a rusty sword, a fragile sword, but whose majestic appearance told a thousand and one stories. Once the sword was drawn, the axles began to turn, the gear moved, and the earth trembled.
It was awakening.
The sword quickly shone and plunged into Adrian's chest, leaving him stunned by the shock, but instead of scared, he felt complete.
Yes, the sword seemed like it was part of him, or at least that's the feeling he had.
"But, what just happened? I wake up in a wasteland, then I feel a connection with what was on the hill and after going up to grab the sword, everything starts to shake and it plunges into my body suddenly... I don't understand anything."
Loaded with frustrations due to the little knowledge of his situation, a wave of sleepiness hit him, making him sleep on top of the hill. Until magically, he disappeared into the dust, only to reappear in the bathroom of his home.
Hours passed and Adrian wakes up yawning, he's tired. Getting up from the cold, hard bathroom floor, he looks at himself in the mirror and thinks.
"I should investigate who I am and what the world I'm in is like, if that idea is good, although better I write it down so I don't forget any important data."
With clear ideas and what seemed to be a strong resolution, he set out to walk and head to what seemed to be a desk that had a computer, a keyboard, a clock, and a mobile phone.
"First, the diary and then we go with the rest. Let's see I find myself in the world of Nexia, in this world doors appear from which monsters or 'corrupts' come out, the story if I remember correctly was centered on a combat academy. The protagonist goes there, takes opportunities, becomes stronger, creates a guild and makes a harem. Pss, a classic that stupid god was not very original..."
Sighing and with a tired look, Adrian let out a couple more complaints until he was satisfied.
"Well, I should go to the academy, it's the only place where I can perform the awakening ritual to know my avatar."
The Avatar Awakening Ritual dates back millennia, established by the founders of the Arcane Academy, an institution dedicated to nurturing and guiding those with the potential to become avatars, beings capable of channeling unique elemental, spiritual, or magical powers. According to the legends, the ritual was inspired by a divine revelation, granted to the first masters by the deities or cosmic entities that oversee the balance of the world.
The ritual is carried out once a year, on the Night of the Dancing Stars, when the night skies align in such a way that they amplify the veil between the earthly world and the spiritual realm. It is believed that on this night, the cosmos pours out its blessings, allowing the latent powers within the initiates to manifest more clearly.
"I only have this opportunity to join the academy otherwise, I will have to wait another year, but if I take too long I won't be able to steal any opportunities from the protagonist, and that would be a problem for me..."
"Let's continue, what else was there... Yes, the avatars, that is, people are supposed to be linked to a mythological figure from the moment they are born and that's where their powers are inspired from. If I remember correctly, the protagonist was connected to Zeus hence his mastery with lightning and his perversion for women."
"In any case, it's too early for that, for now let's find out who I am and if I have any relatives or something similar. In novels, you usually get a headache and memories emerge but nothing like that has happened to me, so let's look at the clock, it's supposed to contain everything about me."