Lei's eyelids fluttered open, greeted not by the familiar sight of his bedroom, but by the vast expanse of an unfamiliar landscape. He blinked, trying to make sense of his surroundings. Blades of grass tickled his skin as he lay on the ground, the earthy scent of soil filling his nostrils. Above him, the sky stretched endlessly, painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun began its descent.
Confusion clouded Lei's mind as he pushed himself upright, his gaze scanning the horizon. What was this place? How had he ended up here? Questions tumbled through his thoughts, each one more perplexing than the last.
As he rose to his feet, Lei's eyes fell upon a sight that sent a shiver down his spine. Towering skyscrapers loomed in the distance, their sleek surfaces glinting in the fading light. Hovering above them were strange contraptions that resembled cars but moved through the air with otherworldly grace.
Lei's heart raced as he tried to make sense of the futuristic landscape before him. This was like nothing he had ever seen before, and yet there was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that whispered of familiarity.
Before Lei could ponder further, a hiss pierced the air, sending a chill down his spine. He turned just in time to see a sinuous form slithering towards him through the grass. Panic surged within him as he realized that he was not alone.
Without thinking, Lei instinctively raised his hand, a surge of energy pulsating through his veins. With a flick of his wrist, a burst of golden light erupted from his fingertips, striking the creature square in the chest.
There was a deafening roar as the alien snake recoiled, writhing in agony as Lei's magic coursed through its body. Moments later, the creature lay motionless at his feet, its lifeless eyes staring blankly into the distance.
Breathless and trembling, Lei watched as the last traces of the creature's life faded away. He had never imagined himself capable of such power, and yet there was no denying the truth before him.
As Lei tried to catch his breath, a voice broke through the silence, drawing his attention to a figure approaching from the distance. The stranger was clad in attire that seemed both familiar and foreign, their features obscured by the glow of the setting sun.
"Good job," the passer-by said, their voice carrying a note of admiration. "You handled that serpent with ease."
Lei nodded, still reeling from the encounter. "Thank you," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
The stranger offered Lei a reassuring smile before gesturing towards the skyline. "you can exchange this snake for a reward if you want, there's a reward center just down the street," they said. "They'll be able to compensate you for your efforts."
With a nod of gratitude, Lei followed the stranger's directions, his mind buzzing with questions and uncertainties. Little did he know that his encounter with the alien snake was just the beginning of a journey that would forever alter the course of his destiny.