Theo's heart is racing as he hears "E-23" in his mind. This isn't Earth, and Astra is real. He whispers, "Thank goodness," feeling the seriousness of his situation. He's in Ethan's body and needs to get back to his own world.
"Elara, please help me," he says, looking at her with urgent eyes. "I need to find a way to go home."
Elara looks confused. "Where's home?" she asks.
Theo holds her hand tightly, his eyes full of hope. "I know it sounds strange, but I'm not from here."
The only sounds in the room are the quiet beeps of the machines. It smells like the hospital, not like the outside. Elara starts to think Theo might be confused.
"Okay," she says, "We'll find a way to help you. But first, you must get better."
Elara looked deeply into Theo's eyes, hoping to grasp his pain. "Doctor," she asked shakily, "is he alright?"
The doctor nodded with a serious expression. "His body is healing, but he might have a psychological issue or a false belief," he said.
Elara felt both relieved and scared. "What is this?" she questioned, her thoughts moving quickly.
"If it's from the accident, we can start helping him," the doctor said. "But if he truly thinks he's from another world before the accident, we must be careful."
Elara knew that if Theo was just confused from the accident, she'd be there for him. But if he truly believed his strange memories, she'd help him through that too.
"Theo," she spoke gently, "I'll always support you. I won't leave you, no matter where you think you're from."
Theo searched her eyes and felt thankful. "Thank you," he said quietly, with a strong resolve.
The doctor nodded, showing she understood. "Don't worry," she assured them, "we'll get him the help he needs."
Elara leaves to gather information about Ethan's past to make sure if he has delusions before the accident or not, she can't shake off the feeling that something is off. She's heard the doctor's theory, but deep down she knows there's more to Theo's story than just a simple accident. His insistence on being from another world, his knowledge of Astra, and the whispers of fate that seem to follow him... it's all too much to be a coincidence.
Theo's eyes follow her until she's out of the room. The whispers of fate are growing louder, reminding him of his destiny.
He whispers to himself, "I have to get back to Astra. I can't leave them."
The room feels cold, and the whispers seem to echo his determination. "You will," they murmur, "but the path ahead is fraught with challenges."
Back in her apartment, Elara sits naked on her couch, her breasts so substantial that they appear to be falling even when she is clothed. She is enveloped in the serene comfort of her home environment. Anxiously, she has been awaiting any updates regarding Theo—Ethan. Her phone vibrates, and she eagerly seizes it, her pulse quickening.
Her eyes skim the notification, and her hand begins to tremble as she takes in the words. Ethan, the young man she encountered, who had once been an exemplary student, is now hospitalized, trapped in a realm of delirium. "Because of me," she murmurs to herself, her eyes brimming with tears.
The revelation about his history, about his existence prior to the incident, impacts her profoundly. She had harbored the belief that her companionship could confer some semblance of tranquility, yet it seems to have exacerbated his anguish instead.
She gazes at the screen, wishing fervently for it to transmit solace to him, praying that her words might serve as a thread of reassurance that can penetrate the abyss of his delusion and offer him something to cling to.
Theo, feeling a glimmer of hope, watches as the nurse brings him a phone. He takes it gratefully; his hands are shaking with anticipation. He starts to search for any information that might give him a clue about how to return to Astra, but everything seems eerily familiar yet foreign.
"This world is like Earth," he murmurs to himself, his eyes darting across the screen. "But it's not quite right. It's as if they've advanced in some ways, yet in others, they're so behind."
The whispers of fate seem to echo his thoughts. "You are not of this world," they say. "But do not despair. Your destiny lies in Astra, and you will find a way back."
Theo nods, his eyes never leaving the phone. "But how?" he whispers, his voice filled with desperation.
The whispers are silent for a moment before speaking again. "Look for the signs," they say. "Seek out those who are like you. They will be drawn to your presence, and together, you will uncover the truth."
Theo's heart races as he searches, his mind racing with possibilities. Could it be that others have traveled between worlds before? Perhaps there is a way to return to Astra hidden within the annals of history or myth?
He finds himself drawn to articles about missing persons and unusual events. The way the whispers of fate resonate with certain articles gives him the feeling that he's on the right track.
With renewed determination, he scrolls through the pages. His eyes widen when he comes across a story about a few individuals who had gone missing around the same time that Theo arrived in Astra. Ethan is among them, the same Ethan whose image is a mirror reflection of the man in the hospital bed, the body Theo currently inhabits. However, they were found after three days.
"I have to find others who also went missing during that time." Theo murmurs to himself.
"Can I ask you something?" Theo urgently calls out to the nurse, who is meticulously adjusting his IV line with a comforting smile on her face.
The nurse, a voluptuous woman whose breasts appear to be unfazed by gravity, looks up at him with eyes brimming with kindness. "Certainly, what can I assist you with?"
"I require some information concerning Article-B475, specifically regarding missing individuals," he states, his gaze intently searching hers for any hint of acknowledgment.
Her smile diminishes slightly as she nods in understanding. "I'll do my best to locate something," she assures him, maintaining a professional yet calming tone.
Theo's thoughts are a tumultuous whirlwind as he thinks of Lily, Arabella, Beatrice, and the multitude of others. The prophecy, the fierce engagements, the profound love, and the devastating losses—each moment feels both distant and palpably real. He can almost sense their touch, the warmth of their presence.
The nurse reappears after a brief interval, cradling a tablet in her hand. "Here is the information I managed to obtain," she informs him, her eyes skimming the digital display. "It appears to be a highly confidential report."
Theo reveals to her that he (Ethan) is also part of the same group they are discussing. Can she possibly provide him with any insight?
The nurse pauses to consider his request, "I have inquired with the doctor regarding this matter."
"Thank you," Theo responds with gratitude.
The nurse exits, leaving Theo holding his phone tightly as he faces his mission. The whispers of fate seem less noisy as the night goes on, but he doesn't ease up. He searches everywhere online, looking through articles and discussions, even going into the internet's most hidden spots, for anyone who's been through the same thing he has. He's really focused, even when his eyes want to close.
The room feels more and more like a jail, with the hospital sounds as constant reminders that he's stuck in this strange place. But he can't relax until he finds a way to go back to Astra.
Those whispers of fate seem to get what he's going through. They keep pushing him, reminding him about Lily, Arabella, Beatrice, and the rest of his special group of women that's waiting for him.
The room gets colder and quieter, but Theo feels like he has to hurry. He's sure there's a way to get back to where he's supposed to be, to the love and future waiting in Astra.
The whispers of fate seem to cheer him on, saying they're with him. They tell him to keep looking and not to lose hope.
Theo keeps nodding, not looking away from his phone. His heart misses Lily and the others so much. He's sure fate won't let him down.
The whispers of fate get louder and more supportive. They assure him, "You'll find your way back to them. Just keep looking and don't give up."
Theo keeps searching, not letting his hope fade. He knows his true family in Astra is out there, and he won't stop until he's with them again.