After what felt like an eternity—or maybe just moments?—Ephraim couldn't tell. All he knew was that his soul was being carried, traveling somewhere unknown and beyond comprehension. He hadn't known that souls could actually move like this, pulled from reality by a mysterious book he'd only just begun to uncover.
He knew the stories of heaven and hell, the tales of what might come after life. But this—this felt closer to the pages of one of his fantasy books than anything biblical. Experiencing it firsthand was unlike anything he'd read on a screen or in some dusty novel.
It was real, terrifying… and yet, it filled him with an intense anticipation, a pull toward whatever lay at the end of this dark, endless void.
Around him, a dark membrane encased his drifting form—a strange barrier, almost like the shadows that had engulfed him earlier. He couldn't feel it, but he sensed its presence, protective and vigilant, as though the darkness were both guiding and guarding him, shielding him from anything that might threaten his soul.
Time continued to pass as his soul, encased in the dark membrane, drifted through the void. Gradually, he felt his movement slow, and then everything faded into darkness once more. For a moment, he thought it was over. But then, he sensed a warm light enveloping him.
Ephraim's eyes fluttered open, momentarily blinded by the sunlight streaming in. He instinctively covered his face with his hand, shielding his eyes before adjusting to the brightness.
As he raised his hand, Ephraim was surprised to find that he had a body again—one he could move, and it felt surprisingly familiar. In fact, he sensed that his coordination was even better in this form than it had been before.
He vividly recalled the sensation of being just a soul, drifting through the void, so he knew this wasn't merely an illusion. Just hours earlier, he had been in his apartment, enveloped in darkness, yet now the sun was shining brightly on his face.
"Where am I?" Ephraim murmured, glancing around. He found himself at the entrance of a cave, its jagged mouth framed by dense foliage. Beyond the cave, a lush forest stretched out, vibrant with the colors of life. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting playful shadows on the ground, and the sounds of rustling leaves and distant birds filled the air.
He glanced down, taking in his new attire with surprise. The dark cape draped over his shoulders had a weight to it that felt almost comforting, as though it belonged to him. Beneath the cape, he wore gray pants and a black shirt adorned with intricate, faintly glowing symbols. The patterns looked almost like letters, but in a language he didn't recognize—a language that seemed to pulse faintly, alive with a subtle energy.
"This… would probably be what enchanted clothing would look like in fantasy," he muttered, half in awe, half in disbelief. It was like something straight out of his favorite RPGs, a game brought to life.
His hand brushed against the hilt of the small sword at his waist, feeling the cool leather wrapping. The weight was reassuring, yet foreign as if he'd always wanted a weapon like this but never truly expected to hold one. Hanging on his left, a small pouch clinked faintly with the unmistakable sound of coins, and a compact bag was strapped to his back—just big enough for provisions or loot.
Taking in each detail, Ephraim's mind raced. He already had an idea of what might be happening, but he wanted to be sure, to gather any clues he could before leaping to conclusions. Steadying himself, he took a deep breath, scanning his surroundings with a renewed sense of purpose.
Ephraim knew the risks of letting assumptions cloud his judgment, especially here in an unknown place where any misstep could mean danger. He gripped the hilt of his short sword firmly, drawing it from the sheath with a slow, measured movement.
The blade gleamed in the sunlight, and he ran a cautious finger along the edge. It was sharp, sharper than he expected, and capable of cutting through more than just thin air.
To prepare himself, Ephraim practiced drawing and sheathing the sword a few times, focusing on fluidity and speed. With each repetition, he felt his movements becoming more natural, his grip more confident. At least now he had a small sense of readiness, even if only a modest one.
You should know that Ephraim is just an ordinary guy without much real experience in fighting or survival, though he has some knowledge about it thanks to the many books he's read over the years. Reading had been a favorite hobby of his, allowing him to absorb bits of information about things he'd never actually tried.
Once he felt comfortable with drawing his sword without harming himself or accidentally dropping it, he began practicing basic movements—simple slashes and thrusts—to familiarize himself with the weapon. When he finally felt ready, Ephraim took a deep breath and turned his focus to the world outside the cave, prepared to face whatever lay ahead.
He considered practicing defensive moves like blocking but quickly realized that without a partner, there was little he could gain from mimicking blocks against thin air. Practical experience was the only way to learn that skill properly, so he chose to focus on his attacks instead, throwing his energy into slashes and thrusts that felt slightly sharper with each attempt.
A small spark of excitement flickered within him. As he looked out toward the unknown, Ephraim felt ready—at least as ready as he could be. It was time to see what this unfamiliar world had in store.