The world felt different the moment I opened my eyes. The air was thick with something I couldn't quite name—a strange hum that filled the air around me. It wasn't the cool, familiar breeze I had known my entire life, but something heavier, almost alive. I pushed myself up, blinking rapidly as my surroundings came into focus.

This… wasn't home.

I was lying in the middle of a vast field of silver grass, each blade shimmering like it had been dipped in liquid starlight. Above me, the sky wasn't blue, but a deep violet, with swirling clouds that moved as if they had a will of their own. I struggled to stand, the ground beneath me firm but somehow softer than what I was used to. Everything felt strange, unfamiliar.

"What… where am I?"

I muttered to myself, glancing around, searching for any sign of familiarity. But all I saw were trees in the distance, their bark glowing faintly, like they held something magical within them.

That's when I noticed them—the people. Well, if they were people. Far ahead in the distance, beyond the shimmering grass and glowing trees, figures were moving. But even from here, I could tell they weren't human, at least not in the way I understood. Some had radiant wings of light; others floated just above the ground, and a few had skin covered in scales that shimmered like armor.

Instinctively, I moved toward them. Maybe they had answers, maybe they could explain this… wherever this was.

As I approached, the sounds of battle grew clearer. The air was filled with clashing steel, the roars of inhuman beasts, and the shouts of warriors engaged in a war I couldn't begin to comprehend. I ducked down behind a low ridge and peeked over the edge.

A battlefield stretched out before me. Armored warriors clashed with monstrous creatures—beasts of nightmare, towering over them with claws the size of swords. Fire exploded from the hands of the warriors, casting radiant blasts of energy that tore through the air. Others wielded weapons that pulsed with power, slicing through the creatures as if they were made of paper.

This wasn't just a fight. It was a war—one filled with magic, fire, and death.

And I was just… me.

I had no weapons, no powers. No magic coursed through my veins. All I had were my clothes, which had somehow made it with me into this strange world. As I crouched there, watching these incredible beings fight off an onslaught of monsters, the reality of my situation hit me.

I didn't belong here.

Suddenly, the ground shook beneath me. One of the creatures—a massive, hulking beast with scales as dark as night—broke away from the battle and charged directly toward me. Panic seized me. I scrambled back, my heart pounding in my chest as it closed the distance, its jaws wide open, ready to crush me in an instant.

This was it. I was going to die, in this strange world I didn't understand, powerless to do anything about it.

But then, a blur of light flashed in front of me. A figure—tall, cloaked in glowing armor—appeared between me and the beast. With a single, fluid motion, they raised their hand and released a torrent of fire so fierce, the creature didn't stand a chance. It was engulfed in flames, roaring in agony before collapsing into a heap of ash and embers.

The figure turned toward me, and I got my first real look at one of the warriors of this world. Their eyes glowed with the same strange energy that seemed to fill the air, and their presence was overwhelming, as if the power radiating from them was too much for a mere mortal like me to bear.

"Are you alright?" they asked, their voice steady and calm.

I managed to nod, still in shock from what I had just witnessed.

"You're not from here, are you?" they continued, their eyes narrowing slightly as they studied me. "No power, no aura. How did you survive this long?"

"I… I don't know where I am," I stammered, feeling more out of place with every passing second. "I just woke up here.One minute I was—" I stopped. How could I explain my world to someone like this? "I don't belong here."

The warrior was silent for a moment, then extended a hand. "Come with me. You won't last long out here without help."

I hesitated, staring at their hand. They were right. If I stayed out here, I wouldn't last another day. But the thought of being completely dependent on someone else—it gnawed at me. I had always prided myself on being self-sufficient, but here, in this world of magic and monsters, I was nothing.

Powerless.

Still, I had no choice. I took their hand, and they helped me to my feet. As we walked away from the battlefield, I couldn't shake the feeling of utter helplessness. These warriors, these chosen heroes—they were capable of incredible things. They had power I couldn't even comprehend.

And here I was, just a weak, ordinary civilian.

But something inside me refused to accept that. I didn't know how, or when, but I wouldn't stay powerless forever. This world was dangerous, filled with magic and monsters, and I was at its mercy for now. But one day, somehow, I would find a way to survive on my own.

And I would become stronger. Strong enough to stand among them.