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Scene: The Streets of Modern Day, 2023
Mordryn's head was spinning. The towering structures of steel and glass around him shimmered under the bright, artificial lights. The air was thick with the strange hum of this new world. His body, still weak from years of slumber, struggled to keep up as he took in the sheer vastness of the scene before him. He took one shaky step forward, then another, but the weight of the world pressed down on him.
His vision blurred, and the sound of rushing vehicles and distant voices faded into the background.
Mordryn (thinking):
"I've... been gone for too long..."
His staff slipped from his fingers as his legs buckled. He collapsed, the last thing he saw before darkness took him was a blurry figure approaching, shouting something in an unfamiliar language.
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Scene: A Warm Kitchen, Soft Light
The sound of soft clattering echoed through the air. Mordryn stirred, his body heavy and his senses groggy. The warmth of the room contrasted sharply with the cold, hard ground he remembered collapsing on. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open.
The ceiling above him was not stone or dirt—it was smooth and painted, with ornate designs. His brow furrowed in confusion as he slowly sat up, the soft bed beneath him foreign to his senses. He glanced around, realizing he was in an unfamiliar room, richly decorated with luxurious furniture and strange, glowing devices.
Mordryn (thinking):
"Where... am I?"
The scent of food wafted through the air, drawing his attention. He turned his head toward the source of the sound—a door slightly ajar. Beyond it, he could hear someone moving about, the faint clinking of utensils and soft humming.
He swung his legs off the bed, his boots making a soft thud against the floor. As he steadied himself, he noticed his staff resting against the wall beside the bed. A soft sigh of relief escaped him. At least that was still with him.
Before he could piece together what had happened, the door opened wider, and a young woman stepped inside, carrying a tray of food. She was petite, with long, dark hair tied back into a loose ponytail. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw him awake, but her expression quickly turned into a bright smile.
Kang Wo Hu:
cheerfully
"Oh, you're finally awake! I thought you'd be out for a few more hours at least."
Mordryn blinked, trying to process her words. She spoke in a language that was unfamiliar, yet he understood her perfectly. The magic that had bound him to Valendar had always granted him understanding of languages, but this one was unlike any he had encountered before.
Mordryn (thinking):
"Who is this girl...?"
The woman set the tray down on a table near the bed and gestured toward the food. It was simple—rice, some vegetables, and soup—but it smelled comforting.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Here, you must be hungry. I made some porridge too, just in case you're not feeling well enough for anything heavy."
Mordryn stared at the tray, then back at her, still dazed. He had expected hostility, fear—anything but this casual kindness. She seemed completely unfazed by the fact that a strange man with a staff and tattered robes had passed out in the middle of the street.
Mordryn:
quietly, his voice raspy from disuse
"Where... am I?"
The woman's smile softened, and she pulled up a chair, sitting across from him.
Kang Wo Hu:
"You're in my home. You collapsed near the park, and I couldn't just leave you there. I'm Kang Wo Hu, by the way." she paused, waiting for him to introduce himself "You're lucky I found you. You looked like you hadn't eaten in days."
Mordryn (thinking):
"Home...? This is her home? But this place... it's nothing like Valendar."
His mind raced. He was still struggling to make sense of everything. What was this place? This world? How much time had truly passed?
Kang Wo Hu leaned forward, her brow furrowing slightly.
Kang Wo Hu:
"You're not from around here, are you? I mean, the way you were dressed... You looked like you came straight out of a fantasy movie or something."
Mordryn blinked again, her words only deepening his confusion. "Fantasy movie?" He wasn't sure what that meant, but clearly, she didn't think he was a threat.
Mordryn:
softly, still piecing his thoughts together
"I... am not from here. I come from a world long forgotten."
Kang Wo Hu tilted her head, her eyes curious but not skeptical.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Well, you definitely seem out of place. But whatever world you're from, you're safe here for now. I'll help you get back on your feet."
Mordryn looked at her, truly seeing her for the first time. There was no fear in her eyes, no suspicion—just genuine concern. He hadn't felt such warmth from another person in so long that it left him momentarily speechless.
Mordryn (thinking):
"How can someone like her exist in a world so foreign? What happened to Valendar...?"
He reached for the bowl of soup, the warmth of it grounding him in the moment. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until the first sip. As he ate, he felt some of his strength returning, but the questions still swirled in his mind.
Kang Wo Hu:
smiling as she watched him eat
"You must've had quite the journey. You were out for almost a full day. Do you remember what happened before you collapsed?"
Mordryn paused, lowering the spoon.
Mordryn:
quietly, his gaze distant
"I was... in a cave. I sealed myself away to escape a war that consumed everything. I... never expected to wake up in a world like this."
Kang Wo Hu leaned forward, her expression shifting from curiosity to a quiet understanding.
Kang Wo Hu:
"A war, huh? Sounds rough. But you're here now, and that's what matters. You've got a second chance, right?"
Mordryn stared at her, her words striking deeper than she could have known. A second chance. Could it really be that simple?
Mordryn (thinking):
"A second chance... to protect this world?"
He wasn't sure what this place was, or what it held, but one thing was clear—whatever had awakened him wasn't finished. There was still darkness lurking, waiting.
Mordryn (thinking):
"The war isn't over. It's only changed."
But for now, he was here, and for the first time in a long while, someone was willing to help him without fear.
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End of Chapter 4