Lin Xiao activated his system's map for guidance, but just like before, it flickered and glitched. The closer he got to the cave's depths, the more distorted the map became. But then, as if fate intervened, the map stabilized for a brief moment, showing a small marker deep within the cave.
"There's something ahead," Lin Xiao muttered, his breath visible in the cold air.
He walked cautiously, every step feeling heavier than the last. The cave walls shimmered with faint, otherworldly light as Lin Xiao moved deeper.
The silence was thick, oppressive, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the place was more than just a natural formation—it felt... constructed, ancient.
And then he saw it.
At the far end of the cave was a swirling, ethereal light—blue and silver hues mixing together to form what looked like a portal. The sight made Lin Xiao stop in his tracks. His pulse quickened.
"A portal?" Lin Xiao whispered in disbelief. "What the hell is this?"
The sight of yet another portal made Lin Xiao groan in frustration. "A portal? Again?" he muttered, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
He was sick and tired of portals—each one had led him deeper into confusion and uncertainty.
This one, glowing in front of him, felt no different. It pulsed with energy, promising something unknown, something beyond.
Lin Xiao stood there, the pull of the portal tempting him to jump in, while the weight of his thoughts anchored him to the spot. His mind swirled with conflicting emotions.
Should he step through? Should he leave this peaceful version of his world, where everything was stable, where there were no red moons, no earthquakes, and no chaos? Here, his family was safe. But... was it truly his world? Could he really belong in a place where people didn't remember the impossible events that had shaped him?
Xiao Bai meowed softly, nudging Lin Xiao's leg, while Little Blackie, ever-watchful, remained quiet but alert, her eyes fixed on the swirling light of the portal. Both of his cats seemed to sense the tension in his decision, as if waiting for him to make the call.
"I could stay here," Lin Xiao thought, glancing back at the cave's entrance, imagining a life in this calm, stable world. His mother and sister would be safe, and he could live without the constant threat of the supernatural hanging over him.
But something tugged at him, deep inside—a sense of duty, a need to confront the truth of whatever world he truly belonged to. And, as strange as it was, a longing to find the answers that still eluded him.
His heart pounded as the choice weighed heavy on him. Could he really walk away from everything? From all the mysteries and unresolved threads that had led him to this point?
"No," Lin Xiao said quietly, clenching his fists. "I can't run from this. Not anymore."
With a deep breath, Lin Xiao made his decision. He glanced down at Xiao Bai and Little Blackie, determination lighting up his eyes. "We're going in," he said firmly. "Whatever's on the other side, we face it together."
His two cats seemed to understand, nodding in unison. Without any more hesitation, Lin Xiao jumped into the portal, Xiao Bai and Little Blackie leaping in beside him. The swirling energy engulfed them, and the cave disappeared from sight.
In that brief moment, Lin Xiao felt a mix of fear and resolve. He was leaving behind a peaceful world, but he knew he couldn't ignore the call of the unknown. Whatever awaited him beyond the portal, Lin Xiao was ready to face it head-on.
Lin Xiao's head spun as he tumbled through the portal, his stomach churning with each second. The swirling light and energy were too much, and before he knew it, everything went dark.
When he opened his eyes again, the soft glow of fluorescent lights greeted him. His vision was hazy, the sterile white lights above casting a faint, warm hue across his surroundings. The sharp scent of antiseptic filled the air.
Lin Xiao blinked, trying to make sense of where he was. He could hear the distant beeping of medical equipment, and as his vision slowly cleared, he realized he was lying on a hospital bed, dressed in a standard patient gown.
"What… where am I?" Lin Xiao muttered, his voice groggy as he pushed himself up to sit. His body felt heavy, as though it had been weighed down by sleep for far too long.
The room was dim, save for the small circle of light from the overhead lamp. To his left was a heart monitor, its steady beep the only sound breaking the silence.
To his right, a bedside table held a cup of water and a neatly folded set of clothes.
The walls were stark white, with a single window at the far end covered by closed blinds. Lin Xiao could hear the faint hum of hospital activity outside the door—nurses walking past, carts being pushed, quiet voices in conversation.
"Xiao Bai? Little Blackie?" Lin Xiao called out softly, looking around the room. His heart raced when there was no response. The usual telepathic link with his cats was silent, eerily so. He called again, louder this time, "Xiao Bai? Little Blackie? Where are you?"
Nothing. No familiar meows, no comforting presence. Lin Xiao's confusion deepened. His hands gripped the sides of the bed as panic began to bubble up inside him. He hadn't been separated from his cats in what felt like ages, and now, after all they had been through, they were gone.
"What's happening? Where am I?" Lin Xiao whispered, feeling the walls close in on him. Was this some kind of trick? Another test? Or had something gone wrong when he entered the portal?
He swung his legs over the side of the bed, his bare feet touching the cold tile floor. As he stood, a wave of dizziness hit him, and he had to steady himself against the bedside table. His mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened.
"This doesn't make any sense," he muttered to himself. "I was just… I was in that cave, and now... a hospital? What world is this?"