It was an ordinary day for Ceyhun. Or at least, let's say the early hours of the day were. He was working at his office, in front of his computer, just like every other workday. Noon had long passed. He sighed as he looked at his watch. Half of the reports he needed to finish weren't even close to being ready. On top of that, the post-lunch drowsiness was making it difficult for him to focus on his work. To clear his mind, he did what he always did and headed to the office kitchen to grab a coffee. Just as he stood up, he suddenly found himself surrounded by a bright sphere of light. Everything within his field of vision blurred and then vanished.
What you're about to read, dear reader, has already been subjected to two prevailing interpretations. The first, which everyone except Ceyhun seems to agree upon, suggests that Ceyhun experienced a drop in blood pressure, felt dizzy from standing up too quickly, lost his balance, and hit his head when he fell. If we were to focus on this, this novel, or whatever you want to call it—feel free to call it a "whatchamacallit"—would have ended instantly.
However, we will focus on the more intricate second interpretation: "Isekai." A parallel universe adventure, where Ceyhun is anything but ordinary. In fact, he is far from it. He is the chosen one called by destiny. The one who will lift the curse and end the exile. At least, that's what the prophecy says. Now, make yourselves comfortable and prepare your tea, for what you're about to read has no pretension of adding anything new to this already well-explored genre. But if you're as curious as we are about what will happen to Ceyhun, then here it is:
Chapter 1: The Call of Destiny
When Ceyhun opened his eyes in an unknown world, he realized he was in the heart of a terrifying forest. His clothes had changed, and in his hand was a bloody sword. Around him, towering, ancient trees with moss-covered trunks rose high. The misty air heightened the forest's eeriness, making the damp and decaying smell he inhaled with each breath even more pronounced. The weak beams of light filtering through the trees cast shadows on the dark ground, moving like silhouettes of unknown entities.
As Ceyhun examined his surroundings in horror, a large, burly warrior suddenly appeared before him. The warrior's eyes were dark and vacant, his worn face etched with deep lines. The warrior swung his massive axe with a savage force, but Ceyhun's instincts kicked in. Without fully understanding what was happening, he skillfully parried the axe. His counterattack was swift and precise, decapitating the warrior in a single, fluid motion. The severed head spun through the air before crashing to the ground. The warrior's body, now in two pieces, began to decompose at a terrifying speed. The flesh quickly turned into a dry skull and then disintegrated into dust, disappearing from existence as if it had never been.
At that moment, Ceyhun didn't even notice an archer aiming at him from afar. He barely registered the archer drawing his bow and releasing the arrow until a sudden flash of light appeared. A female mage raised her staff into the air, casting a protective spell. The arrow shattered in mid-air and fell harmlessly to the ground.
Simultaneously, a ranger arrived on the scene, delivering a hefty sword strike to the archer, who was preparing to shoot a second arrow. The archer, like the previous warrior, turned to dust and mist, losing his existence.
The mage, maintaining her calm demeanor, approached Ceyhun. Her eyes, gleaming like silver, met his. Her voice was both compassionate and authoritative. "These lands have been corrupted by dark magic," the woman said. "Fortunately, as you can see, we've come to help you."
The mage had just finished speaking when they both noticed new enemies appearing around them. By then, the ranger had already joined them. Before they could fully grasp the situation, they found themselves in the midst of a desperate struggle for survival. The clashing of swords, battle cries, and the crackling of spells filled the air.
"Let's postpone the introductions for now," the ranger said in a firm but controlled voice. "If we survive, we'll have plenty of time to talk in a more appropriate setting."
The female mage, keeping her composure, turned to Ceyhun. "This is just the beginning," she said. "Whoever sent these knows that you're important. Luckily, our village seer predicted your arrival, so we managed to reach you in time. Now, all we can do is escape through the waves of attacks and lose our pursuers at the first opportunity."
The battle continued in all its ferocity. While Ceyhun swung his sword, the mage repelled enemies with spells, sometimes using her glowing staff, sometimes just her bare hands. The ranger quickly dispatched them with his blade. Swords clashed like lightning, spells lit up the sky. Everyone fought relentlessly; the sound of swords clanging mixed with battle cries and the crackling of magic. Finally, the second wave of attackers was repelled.
The ranger lifted a torch and said, "This way, follow me," before moving forward swiftly. Without hesitation, Ceyhun followed him. The female mage, ever vigilant, brought up the rear.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the density of the trees and the darkness increased. The sky was barely visible through the branches. Along the way, they passed moss-covered old stone statues; it felt as if the statues were watching them.
Eventually, they reached a deep valley flanked by steep slopes on either side. The valley was shrouded in silence and mystery, with only the sound of a fast-flowing stream echoing in the depths. When Ceyhun paused, the ranger and the mage continued on without slowing down. The female mage muttered words in an ancient language, and suddenly, a thin suspension bridge appeared before them.
Pointing to the bridge in astonishment, Ceyhun asked, "Did you just create a bridge?"
Without hesitating, the ranger stepped onto the bridge and said, "Actually, it was a spell to temporarily dispel the invisibility of an existing bridge. We must cross quickly. We'll be safe on the other side."
The ranger and the mage hurried across the bridge, with Ceyhun following close behind. The gap beneath the bridge and the depth of the valley were dizzying. With each step, Ceyhun felt the bridge sway slightly. Finally, when they reached the other side, he took a deep breath.
After crossing the bridge, the mage chanted the ancient words once more to make the bridge invisible again. The bridge vanished in an instant. Now, they were no longer in the ominous atmosphere of the cursed forest but were continuing their journey through a more peaceful woodland.
After an uneventful journey, Ceyhun and his new companions arrived at a charming forest village with steep roofs supported by wooden frames, built with the skill of master craftsmen. A large crowd had gathered in the village square. The local people greeted the brave warrior and the wise mage with reverence. But their main attention was directed at Ceyhun. As he walked through the hopeful and expectant gazes of the crowd, he felt uncomfortable with the overwhelming interest. He was still trying to make sense of everything that had happened.
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Standing before the crowd, the village's elderly leader welcomed his guests with deep respect: "Welcome. I am Haldor, the leader of this village. After a long journey, you're finally here. We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Amid the chaos of the battle, you may not have had the chance to introduce yourselves. Allow me to present to you the two individuals who volunteered to protect and accompany you, the village's esteemed mage and ranger:
On my right is Elara, our young village mage.
On my left is Aric, our skilled ranger tasked with ensuring the village's safety. Elara and Aric have volunteered to accompany you and protect your life throughout your mission."
Elara and Aric smiled and bowed their heads. Around Elara, there was an invisible but palpable mystical aura, while Aric was a sharp-eyed, brave young man.
Finally, Haldor introduced the village's seer: "And this is Elowen, our spiritual guide who has the gift of prophetic dreams. It was she who foretold your arrival."
Elowen, standing with a delicate flower crown on her head and an ancient staff in her hand, gave a gentle nod in greeting. Though young, her eyes and demeanor exuded the wisdom of a sage.
Haldor continued his speech: "Now, as the people of this village, we would like to celebrate your arrival. Please, join us at our feast."
A large table had been set up in the village square, laden with a variety of dishes, fresh fruits, and drinks. The villagers gathered around the table, waiting for their honorable guests to grace the feast with their presence. Before the meal began, Haldor gave a speech: "Today is a day to celebrate courage and friendship. I present to you the young warrior who will lift the curse on these lands and end our exile: The One from Afar!"
The villagers greeted him with great enthusiasm. Some raised their cups, some clapped, and some cheered.
"You have honored our village and given us hope. In return, we want to show our hospitality by offering you the best our village has to offer."
During the meal, Ceyhun accepted the offerings graciously and listened to those who spoke to him with dignity. He observed the villagers' behavior, trying to learn about their way of life, language, and traditions. Despite being surrounded by unfamiliar faces, the warmth and kindness he received from the villagers eased his initial tension. The feast provided a brief respite for Ceyhun to catch his breath and reflect on the events that had transpired. His mind raced with thoughts, questions, and uncertainties about the future. But for now, he allowed himself to enjoy the feast and take solace in the company of his new allies.
According to what was said, he was the one who would lift the curse from these lands and end the exile of these people. He did not know the reason for the curse or the exile. Nevertheless, he did not say, "You're mistaken; I'm not the person you're looking for," nor did he attempt to escape. Even if he had tried to flee, survival in this unfamiliar, unsettling world was impossible, despite his skill with a sword. The most reasonable option was to stay with these people who were protecting him for now.
When the celebrations ended, Haldor invited Ceyhun and his friends to the large house where the village was governed. The large house was located in the center of the village and was an impressive structure even from the outside. Its walls were built from solid stone, and its skeleton was supported by a wooden frame.
Upon entering the house, they encountered a spacious hall. A large fire was burning in the middle of the hall, and the section of the roof above the fire was left open to allow smoke to escape easily. Around the rectangular fireplace, four thick wooden posts supporting the center were intricately interwoven with horizontal wooden beams and braces, decorated with masterful details. The roof was covered with wood and adorned with elegant carvings of water serpents, reeds, and dragon figures.
Haldor seated his guests around the large table. The table was covered with various fruits and goblets filled with wine. However, it was clear that this time a serious conversation was about to take place rather than a festive atmosphere. Turning to Ceyhun, Haldor began to speak: "Ceyhun, there are important matters we need to discuss in more detail. You will need to embark on a journey to lift the curse from these lands. However, this journey will not be just a single task."
Elara took a deep breath and spoke: "The curse on these lands is the work of a dark sorcerer. However, this sorcerer is an apprentice of an even greater sorcerer who has taken over the kingdom. The name of this apprentice is Lyra, my sister."
Ceyhun looked at Elara in shock. Meeting her gaze, he saw the deep sadness on her face. But there was more. He felt the regret she was trying to hide. Elara was concealing something. Elara continued, sighing, "She was never as successful in magic as I was. She never hid her jealousy. Yet, I knew deep down she loved me. Unfortunately, over time, the dark sorcerer had infiltrated her blood and drawn her to his side. He taught her forbidden blood magic. By the time I realized this, it was too late. The village elders decided she had to leave. I wanted to see her again because I believed I could persuade her. I thought I could win her back. However, the dark sorcerer's influence was deeper than I had anticipated. We had an unpleasant conflict. That day, through a horrific spell she cast there, she cursed these lands," she said, staring blankly into space and falling into silence.
The silence was broken by Aric, who spoke with an unwarranted cheerfulness. Raising his goblet, he said, "Don't worry, Elara. The one from afar is with us. We will break this curse. Also, as the greatest warrior of the village, I am here to protect and guide Ceyhun and you."
Elara looked at Aric with a disdainful expression, rolling her eyes. "Protect? You? The only thing you protect is your own arrogance, Aric."
Aric responded with a carefree attitude: "Ah, Elara, you are as arrogant as ever. Don't forget that without my courage and experience, we cannot lift this curse. Who will guide you when we go to the heart of the cursed lands? Or who will protect you when you need to focus on breaking the curse?"
Ceyhun furrowed his brows and spoke up: "Enough! Please take a break from bickering among yourselves." After a moment's pause, he continued in a calmer tone: "You rescued me, took me in, fed me, and gave me drink... For that, I am grateful. But you bring me here and say we need to talk. Shouldn't you first explain why you're relying on me? I expect rational and tangible explanations. I want concrete reasons, not prophecies and dreams. Tell me, why me? Why have you placed your trust in me? What is my role in all of this? Or what do you hope will happen?"
Haldor took a deep breath and began to speak calmly, "Ceyhun, there are very special things about you. All prophecies point to you. You are the one who came from distant lands, and in time, you will understand this yourself. The seer Elowen saw that you could pass through the killing mist of the cursed lands unharmed. She even said you radiate a protective aura around you. Thanks to this aura, those who accompany you will be able to progress safely through this deadly mist as long as they do not distance themselves from you. In other words, we can only successfully complete this mission under your leadership."
Ceyhun clenched his fists in anger: "I don't understand. You are giving me such a huge responsibility for something that has never been tried before. Perhaps I will die when I enter the killing mist as well. Also, you don't even know me. How can you be so sure I am not a bad person? I haven't even given you a single promise to help. Why are you so certain? Everything you've done seems extremely unreasonable to me."
Haldor smiled and shook his head: "I understand. Then, tomorrow morning, you will experience what happens when you enter the killing mist. Perhaps you will realize that our seer was never wrong." He said and left the meeting.