Chapter 1: The End of the World

December 21, 2012. The world had been buzzing with speculation for years about the Mayan calendar's ominous end date. Some dismissed it as superstition, while others prepared for doomsday. For Oleksii Findler, known as Oly to his beloved sister, it was just another day—until it wasn't.

The state of world affairs was tense. Economic instability plagued nations, and political unrest was a daily headline. Climate change continued to wreak havoc, with natural disasters becoming more frequent and severe. Humanity seemed to be on the brink of something catastrophic even without the Mayan prophecy hanging over their heads.

Oly was a Ukrainian immigrant living in Beijing, China. He had moved there for one reason: his sister, Anya. Anya suffered from a rare, debilitating illness that traditional medicine couldn't cure. Chinese practitioners offered hope through their ancient cultivation techniques. Every day, Oly immersed himself in this new world, learning everything he could about self-cultivation, hoping to find a way to heal her.

Morning Routine

That morning started like any other. Oly woke up early, the first light of dawn barely piercing through the smog-covered sky. He checked on Anya, who was still asleep, her breathing shallow but steady. The sight of her frail form strengthened his resolve. Anya was a petite girl, her once vibrant blue eyes now dulled by fatigue and illness. Her blonde hair, which had lost its luster, framed her pale face.

Oly, on the other hand, stood tall and lean, with short dark hair and piercing green eyes that reflected his sharp intellect and determination. His features were sharp and angular, a result of his mixed heritage, with a strong jawline and high cheekbones. Despite the hardships, he maintained a composed and calm demeanor, his appearance always tidy and presentable.

He prepared a simple breakfast, their resources limited due to the high cost of her treatments. His movements were precise and efficient, a testament to his disciplined lifestyle.

Oly's journey to China had been one of necessity and desperation. Anya had been diagnosed with her illness five years ago, and after exhausting all medical options in Ukraine, Oly turned to the wisdom of ancient practices. He had always been a strategist at heart, excelling in chess and various strategy games since childhood. This strategic mindset drove him to explore every possible avenue to save his sister.

In China, he found a new world of knowledge. The ancient texts and practices of self-cultivation fascinated him. He dedicated himself to learning everything he could, not just to help Anya, but also to better himself. He often spent hours in meditation, practicing breathing exercises, and studying the intricate techniques that promised health and longevity.

The Announcement

At exactly noon, just as Oly was about to leave for the market, the sky darkened unnaturally, as if a giant hand had reached out and dimmed the sun. The world fell silent, an eerie calm enveloping everything. Then, a voice, clear and resonant, echoed in the minds of every human being on Earth.

"Attention, inhabitants of planet Earth. The time has come."

Oly was in the middle of the crowded market when he heard the announcement. His heart raced, not out of fear, but anticipation. A strange sense of readiness filled him. He had always been fascinated by strategy games and self-cultivation practices, and now, it seemed, reality was offering him the ultimate test.

"Prepare yourselves. The countdown begins now: Ten..."

The voice faded, leaving an oppressive silence in its wake. Ten minutes passed, each second feeling like an eternity. People around Oly started to panic, their anxiety spreading like wildfire. Oly stood still, his mind racing as he formulated a plan.

Worldwide Panic

As the ten-minute mark approached, the voice returned. "Nine..."

The market erupted into chaos. People dropped their goods and ran, screams filling the air. Vendors tried to secure their stalls, hoping to save what little they had. Oly watched as the panic unfolded around him, his mind already strategizing.

He needed to get back to Anya. Pushing through the crowd, he made his way home, the countdown still echoing in his mind.

"Eight..."

Each count was like a hammer striking the world, sending ripples of fear through the population. Oly reached their apartment and burst through the door. Anya was awake, her eyes wide with fear. Oly rushed to her side, taking her hand. "It's going to be okay, Anya. I promise."

"What's happening, Oly?" Anya's voice trembled, her frail body shaking with fear.

"I don't know, but we'll face it together," Oly said, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. "We need to stay calm and think."

"Seven..."

Oly felt the weight of the world pressing down on him. He knew he had to stay calm for Anya's sake. He sat beside her, holding her hand tightly, his mind working overtime. He thought about their life in Ukraine, the hardships they had faced, and the sacrifices they had made to be here. This was just another challenge, albeit a monumental one.

"Six..."

The world outside their apartment was descending into madness. Sirens wailed in the distance, and the sounds of desperate people filled the air. Oly tried to block it out, focusing instead on Anya. He stroked her hair and spoke to her softly, reminding her of the happier times they had shared.

"Remember our walks by the Dnieper River?" he asked, trying to distract her.

Anya nodded, a small smile breaking through her fear. "I miss those days."

"We'll have them again," Oly promised, though he wasn't sure if it was true. "We just need to stay strong."

"Five..."

Oly knew he had to prepare for whatever was coming. He gathered some essentials, packing a small bag with food, water, and medical supplies. He didn't know what they would need, but he wanted to be ready. Anya watched him with wide eyes, her fear palpable.

"Four..."

The minutes dragged on, each one feeling like a lifetime. Oly thought about the ancient texts he had studied, the cultivation techniques he had practiced. He took a deep breath and centered himself, drawing on the calm that those practices had instilled in him. He needed to be strong, for both of them.

"Three..."

Oly felt a strange sense of detachment as he looked around their small apartment. It had been their sanctuary, a place of hope and healing. Now, it felt like a fragile bubble on the brink of bursting. He held Anya close, trying to reassure her with his presence.

"Two..."

The anticipation was almost unbearable. Oly's mind raced with possibilities, but he pushed them aside. He had to stay focused on the present, on Anya. He whispered to her, telling her that they would face whatever came next together.

"One..."

The world went dark. Oly felt a strange sensation, as if his body was being pulled apart and reassembled at the same time. For a brief moment, there was nothing—no sight, no sound, no sensation.

Oly's Past and Resolve

As Oly's consciousness drifted in the void, fragments of his past flashed before him. He remembered the small village in Ukraine where he and Anya grew up. Their parents had died in a car accident when Oly was just ten, leaving him to care for his younger sister. He remembered the long nights studying by candlelight, determined to build a better future for them both.

He recalled the day Anya was diagnosed with her illness. The doctors' grim faces, the sterile smell of the hospital, and the crushing sense of helplessness. But Oly had never been one to give up. He had scoured the internet, consulted experts, and eventually found hope in the ancient Chinese practices that brought him to Beijing.

He thought of the sacrifices he had made, leaving behind friends and familiarity, struggling with a new language and culture, all for Anya. And now, in this moment of darkness and uncertainty, his resolve only grew stronger. Whatever this new challenge was, he would face it head-on, for Anya and for himself.

Awakening in a New World

Slowly, Oly's senses began to return. He felt solid ground beneath him, a stark contrast to the disorienting void he had just experienced. As he opened his eyes, he found himself lying on a vast, green plain, the sky above him a swirling mix of colors he had never seen before.

He looked around, taking in the expanse of lush grass and rolling hills. The air was crisp and clean, a stark contrast to the polluted air of Beijing. He saw Anya lying beside him, her eyes slowly opening. Relief washed over him as he realized she was there with him, safe and sound.

"Oly, where are we?" Anya asked, her voice trembling.

"I don't know, Anya," Oly replied, helping her sit up. "But we're together. That's all that matters right now."

"Welcome to the Dominion of Ascendancy," the voice from before boomed again, now seemingly coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. "You have been chosen to participate in a struggle for survival and dominance. The fate of your world depends on the outcome."

Oly stood up, his mind already racing. This was not just a test—it was a new beginning. A chance to use everything he had learned and everything he was capable of. The world as he knew it had ended, but a new one awaited.