David Chen jolted awake, gasping for breath. His heart pounded in his chest, the blood rushing to his ears in a thunderous roar. He felt the moist ground beneath his hands, cool and unfamiliar. His head spun, and a dull ache pulsed at the back of his skull. Blinking rapidly, he tried to make sense of his surroundings.
Towering trees loomed overhead, their thick canopies blocking most of the sunlight. The air was heavy with humidity, the scent of earth and foliage thick in his nostrils. In the distance, the sound of water flowing, the gentle rustling of leaves, and the occasional chirping of birds filled the otherwise eerie silence.
He sat up, feeling the weight of something metallic pressing against his chest. Glancing down, he saw that he was wearing unfamiliar clothes—a finely woven tunic of red and gold, adorned with intricate patterns. Golden bangles encircled his wrists, and a heavy pendant hung around his neck. His fingers brushed against the material, and he realized it wasn't the polyester of his old jacket.
David's mind raced. The last thing he remembered was sitting at his desk, working late in his small apartment in Phnom Penh. He had been drafting a report on renewable energy solutions when a sudden, blinding flash of light had engulfed his vision. He remembered a sensation like falling, then nothing.
His hands trembled as he touched his face, his fingers tracing unfamiliar features—sharper cheekbones, a stronger jawline. His skin felt smoother, his hair thicker. Panic surged through him as he crawled to the edge of a nearby stream, hoping to catch a glimpse of his reflection. He peered into the water, his eyes widening in shock.
Staring back at him was a face he did not recognize: dark, almond-shaped eyes, a youthful but regal face with skin tanned by the sun. His body was leaner, more muscular than he remembered, and his hair was longer, pulled back in a loose bun tied with a gold pin.
"What… what is this?" he whispered, his voice sounding strangely unfamiliar to his ears, deeper and more resonant.
David's thoughts raced as he tried to comprehend his situation. Was this some kind of dream? A hallucination? He pinched himself hard, the sharp sting confirming that he was very much awake. Fear gripped him, but he forced himself to think rationally. He was an engineer, a man of science. He needed to gather information, analyze the situation.
He stood up, his legs shaky but strong. His eyes darted around, taking in the dense jungle. The trees were unlike anything he had seen before—massive, with roots that twisted and coiled around each other, their leaves broad and thick. He could hear the distant call of a bird he could not identify. Everything felt different, foreign, like he had stepped into another world entirely.
David took a deep breath and began to walk, following the sound of flowing water. He had no idea where he was going, but he needed to find some sign of civilization, someone who could explain what had happened to him. As he walked, he became aware of a peculiar sensation at the back of his mind, like a faint humming. It grew stronger with each step, a soft, mechanical whirr that seemed to echo inside his skull.
"What is that?" he muttered to himself, pressing his fingers against his temples as if to silence the noise. But instead of fading, the sound grew louder, and then, like a curtain lifting, a series of faint, glowing lines appeared in his field of vision, floating just in front of his eyes.
A simple message materialized in bold, archaic letters:
"Welcome, Monivong Varman. Initialization complete."
David froze, his breath catching in his throat. "Monivong Varman?" he repeated, the name rolling off his tongue with a strange familiarity. He knew that name. Monivong Varman was a legendary figure from Cambodian history, a prince whose exploits were a mix of fact and myth, a figure revered and studied. But how could this be?
The message dissolved, replaced by a new text:
"System Activated. Displaying current status… Health: Optimal. Mental State: Elevated. Location: Khmer Empire, 8th Century CE."
The words made no sense. Khmer Empire? 8th Century? A cold chill ran down David's spine. His mind rebelled against the implications of what he was reading, yet the reality around him felt undeniable. He clenched his fists, his heart hammering in his chest. How could he be in the 8th century? Time travel was the stuff of science fiction, not reality.
He staggered backward, his foot slipping on a loose rock. He caught himself, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. "This has to be a dream… or some kind of simulation," he muttered under his breath. "Think, David, think."
Another line of text appeared:
"Quest: Familiarize Yourself with Your Surroundings. Reward: Basic Knowledge of Language and Customs."
"A quest?" he repeated, incredulous. The absurdity of the situation struck him, but he couldn't ignore the sense of urgency building within him. The humming in his mind continued, like a faint whisper guiding him forward.
David realized he had no choice but to play along, at least for now. He followed the sound of the water until he reached a broader section of the river. On the other side, he saw a dirt path winding its way up a hill.
"Fine," he said to no one in particular, "I'll go along with this… for now."
He started walking, carefully making his way through the dense undergrowth. As he did, the system seemed to respond, and new information began to fill his mind—a basic understanding of the Khmer language, the social hierarchy, the major tribes, and their customs. It was as if he was downloading knowledge straight into his brain.
After an hour of walking, the path began to widen, and he heard distant voices—a group of people speaking in a language he somehow understood. As he rounded a bend, he saw them: a small caravan of villagers, dressed in simple garments, carrying goods on their heads and backs.
One of them, a young boy with curious eyes, spotted David and gasped. "Prince Monivong!" the boy exclaimed, dropping to his knees in a gesture of respect. The others quickly followed suit, bowing deeply, their faces filled with awe and relief.
David felt a wave of confusion wash over him. He hesitated, unsure of how to respond. The system provided no guidance. "Uh… please, stand up," he managed to say in Khmer, the words feeling foreign but somehow natural. The villagers obeyed, looking up at him with a mix of fear and reverence.
An older man stepped forward, his face lined with age but his eyes sharp and intelligent. "My prince, we feared you were lost in the jungle. The gods must have guided you back to us," he said, his voice trembling slightly.
David nodded, trying to maintain a calm exterior despite the turmoil in his mind. "Yes… I was… exploring the forest and got disoriented," he lied, trying to buy himself some time. "But I am back now."
The villagers seemed to accept this explanation, nodding in agreement. The old man continued, "The king will be relieved to hear of your return. The court has been in chaos since you disappeared."
David's heart skipped a beat. The king? The court? He needed to know more, but he couldn't reveal his ignorance. "Of course," he replied smoothly. "We should return immediately. Lead the way."
The villagers gathered their things and began to move. David followed, his mind racing. He had to find a way to learn more about this world, his supposed identity, and why he was here. The system was clearly some kind of advanced technology, but its origins and purpose were still a mystery.
As they walked, he glanced around, trying to take in as much as possible. The landscape was lush and fertile, with rice paddies stretching out into the distance. The villagers were simple but seemed well-fed and content, their faces tanned by the sun and their hands calloused from hard work.
After an hour of walking, they reached the outskirts of a small town. Wooden houses on stilts lined the dirt road, their thatched roofs providing shade from the scorching sun. Children played in the streets, while women tended to small vegetable gardens. The air was filled with the sounds of everyday life, and David felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
As they approached a large wooden gate guarded by soldiers, David's stomach tightened. The guards, dressed in simple armor and carrying spears, stiffened at the sight of him. They immediately bowed, their expressions a mix of respect and fear.
"Prince Monivong, we are honored to see you safe," one of them said, his voice gruff but respectful.
David nodded, trying to project an air of confidence. "Thank you," he replied. "I wish to see the king immediately."
The guards stepped aside, and David entered the town. He felt the eyes of the townspeople on him, their whispers filling the air as he passed. He kept his head high, but his mind was racing. He had no idea what he was walking into.
The path led to a large wooden building, intricately carved with images of warriors, gods, and mythical creatures. It was the palace, he realized, or at least a hall for official gatherings. Two more guards stood at the entrance, and they bowed deeply as he approached.
Inside, the hall was dimly lit by torches, and the air was thick with the scent of incense. David's eyes adjusted to the light, and he saw a group of people seated on a raised platform—a man in his forties wearing a golden crown, his face stern and regal. This was the king, Jayavarman II, David realized with a jolt of recognition.
Beside the king stood a younger man, his expression cold and calculating. David guessed this was Prince Indravarman, his supposed older brother. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and David sensed a challenge in his gaze.
"Monivong!" The king's voice boomed through the hall. "You have returned at last. Where have you been?"
David felt a surge of anxiety but quickly composed himself. "I was… lost in the jungle, Your Majesty," he replied, trying to sound calm and confident. "I apologize for the worry I have caused."
The king studied him closely, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Lost?" he repeated. "A strange excuse, but we are glad to see you unharmed."
David bowed his head. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Indravarman stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Your disappearance has caused much concern, brother," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "But we are relieved to see you safe."
David nodded, unsure of how to respond. He needed more information, more context. He felt the system hum again, and a new message flashed in his mind:
"Quest Updated: Gain the Trust of the Court. Reward: Increased Influence and Knowledge."
David took a deep breath. He had a long way to go, but at least he had a direction. He needed to play this role carefully, to learn as much as he could about this world and find a way back to his own time—if that was even possible.
For now, he would be Monivong Varman, the prince of the Khmer Empire, and he would use every tool at his disposal to survive.
He straightened his shoulders, met the king's gaze, and spoke with newfound resolve. "I am ready to serve the kingdom, Your Majesty. In any way that I can."
The king nodded slowly, and a faint smile crossed his lips. "Good," he said. "We have much work to do."
David felt a flicker of hope. This was only the beginning.
And he intended to see it through.