Ethan Blake's day began like any other—a monotonous grind through the same tired routine. He rolled out of bed, the chill of the morning seeping through the cracked window of his small apartment. The thin curtains did little to block the light, and he blinked against the sunlight filtering through. His phone buzzed repeatedly, notifications flashing on the screen—bills, emails, more reminders of a life that felt stuck on a loop.
With a heavy sigh, Ethan made his way to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face to clear the fog from his mind. He looked in the mirror—disheveled hair, dark circles under his eyes, an expression that spoke of exhaustion. He was twenty-six, but he looked older, worn down by the weight of a life that hadn't gone the way he'd hoped.
He grabbed a slice of stale bread, chewing as he walked out the door, his headphones already in place to drown out the noise of the city. The streets were crowded, the cacophony of honking horns and people shouting mixing into a chaotic symphony. Ethan moved through the throng of people like a ghost, his mind elsewhere, thinking about the temp job that barely paid the bills and the rejection emails that seemed to pile up every day.
He was halfway to the insurance office where he worked as a receptionist when he noticed something strange. People had stopped, their heads tilted upwards, their eyes wide with confusion. Ethan followed their gaze, and his steps faltered. The sky above was rippling—like the surface of a pond disturbed by a stone.
It started subtly, shimmering waves spreading across the blue sky, but soon the ripples deepened, darkening into jagged lines that looked like cracks in glass. Ethan pulled his headphones off, his heart beginning to pound as he watched the sky fracture before his eyes. The cracks spread, glowing faintly, and then, with a sound like a deep groan from the earth itself, the sky shattered.
A bright, blinding light erupted from the fracture, and people screamed, scrambling to get away. Ethan stood frozen, staring at the glowing rift in the sky, his breath caught in his throat. The light poured out, filling the street, and he felt something—an invisible force—pulling at him, drawing him towards the rift. The air buzzed with energy, the pressure building until it felt like his entire body was vibrating.
The ground beneath his feet seemed to dissolve. The buildings, the people, everything around him blurred, fading into a swirl of colors. Ethan felt himself being lifted, the force growing stronger, pulling him upwards. His vision narrowed, the world falling away until there was nothing but the blinding light and a deep, suffocating darkness.
---
Ethan awoke with a jolt, gasping for breath. He was lying on his back, the sensation of grass beneath him unfamiliar and disorienting. He blinked, squinting against the bright light of two suns hanging in the sky above. The light was strange—warmer, more golden than the sun he knew, and the sky was a kaleidoscope of shifting colors.
He pushed himself up, his body aching, and looked around. He was in a vast field, surrounded by dozens of others—men and women, all of them looking as bewildered as he felt. The air was crisp, the scents of earth and grass stronger than anything he was used to. It felt real, but at the same time, it was alien, like stepping into a dream that teetered on the edge of a nightmare.
Before Ethan could gather his thoughts, a voice echoed through the air. It was deep and commanding, yet strangely emotionless, and it seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once.
"Welcome, participants, to the **High Continent**. You have been chosen to partake in the Conquest. Survive, grow, and prove your worth."
The words sent a chill down Ethan's spine. He looked around, trying to find the source of the voice, but there was no one there—just the frightened, confused faces of the people around him. His heart pounded, his mind racing. *Conquest? Prove your worth? What is this place?*
Suddenly, he noticed something glowing on his arm. He looked down to see a mark etched into his skin—an intricate symbol, glowing faintly with a soft blue light. As he stared at it, a translucent panel appeared before his eyes, floating in the air like a hologram.
**[System Activation]**
**Host: Ethan Blake**
**Status: Active**
**Attributes:**
- Strength: 5
- Agility: 6
- Vitality: 4
- Intelligence: 7
**Abilities:**
- Ascendant's Gift (Level 1): A talent that will grow as you grow.
**Quest: Survive and Prove Your Worth.**
Ethan blinked, his breath catching in his throat. It was like something out of a video game—a stats panel, showing his attributes, abilities, and even a quest. He felt a strange warmth spreading from the mark on his arm, and then a voice echoed in his mind, calm and devoid of emotion.
**"Greetings, Host. I am the System assigned to assist you in your journey. My purpose is to help you adapt to the changes and provide guidance when necessary. Please note that my intervention is limited due to the rules of this world."**
Ethan's eyes widened, his heart pounding. The voice was inside his head—clear, yet emotionless. He swallowed, looking around at the others, but they all seemed just as lost as he was, their eyes wide as they stared at their own glowing marks.
"What... what are you?" he whispered.
**"I am a sliver of consciousness imparted by the world's will. My role is to help you adjust to the new environment and assist with your growth. I will provide information, track your progress, and offer guidance when needed. However, my influence is restricted by the laws governing this realm."**
Ethan took a shaky breath, his mind reeling. This was unreal—like he had been pulled into some kind of twisted fantasy novel or game. But everything around him felt too real—the grass beneath him, the cool breeze on his skin, the fear gnawing at his insides. He clenched his fists, staring at the glowing mark on his arm. Whatever this was, it was his reality now.
He had no choice but to adapt, to survive. There was no going back.
---
Slowly, Ethan pushed himself to his feet, his legs shaky beneath him. He scanned the field, taking in the sight of the others—some crying, some shouting, others simply standing there, stunned. He wasn't alone in this, but the uncertainty of who he could trust gnawed at him. They were all strangers, thrown into an impossible situation, and if the voice was any indication, they were all in competition.
He needed information. He needed to figure out what this place was, what the Conquest was, and how he could survive. His eyes caught movement—a young woman with auburn hair and fierce green eyes was making her way towards him, her expression determined.
"You look like you've got your head on straight," she said as she reached him, her eyes scanning him up and down. "Name's Aria. You got any idea what's going on?"
Ethan shook his head, his voice hoarse. "Ethan. And no... just what that voice said. Something about a Conquest."
Aria nodded, her jaw clenching. "Yeah. Doesn't sound like we're here for a vacation." She glanced at the glowing mark on her own arm, her brow furrowing. "We need to stick together. Strength in numbers, right?"
Ethan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She was right—whatever this was, it wasn't something he could handle alone. "Yeah. Agreed."
Aria gave him a small, grim smile. "Alright then. Let's figure this out together."
Ethan felt a flicker of hope—a tiny spark amidst the chaos. He wasn't alone. And maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to survive this nightmare.
Together, they turned, facing the unknown expanse of the High Continent, ready to take their first steps into the mystery that awaited them.
---
The sun—or suns—were high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the strange landscape as Ethan and Aria began to move. The field stretched out around them, dotted with patches of vibrant flowers and towering, unfamiliar trees. In the distance, Ethan could see the edge of a forest, the blue leaves of the trees shimmering in the sunlight.
"We need to find shelter," Aria said, her eyes scanning the horizon. "Somewhere safe to rest and figure out our next move."
Ethan nodded in agreement. He could feel the weight of exhaustion settling over him, the adrenaline beginning to wear off. His mind was still racing, trying to make sense of everything that had happened, but one thing was clear—they couldn't stay out in the open.
As they walked, Ethan glanced at the system panel still hovering in his vision, his eyes scanning the information displayed. The attributes—Strength, Agility, Vitality, Intelligence—were low, the numbers barely above what he would consider average. The ability, Ascendant's Gift, was a mystery, and its description was vague. He had no idea how to use it, but he knew it was his only chance of surviving whatever trials lay ahead.
"What do you think this Conquest is?" Ethan asked, his voice low.
Aria shook her head, her expression hardening. "I don't know. But whatever it is, we're going to need to be strong. We're going to need to be ready."
Ethan nodded, determination beginning to replace his fear. He had spent too long feeling powerless, too long trapped in a life that felt like it was slipping away from him. This place—this strange, terrifying place—might just be the opportunity he needed.
They walked on, side by side, ready to face whatever lay ahead. Together, they would survive, grow, and prove their worth.
And maybe, just maybe, they would find a way to escape this place and get back home.