Maxwell was floating in a plain white void, his eyes empty, as if something deep within him had been hollowed out. His mind felt disconnected, like the last threads of his past were slipping away. The only thing he remembered, the only thing that refused to fade, was the flash of betrayal. That moment, sharp and brutal, when the one he had trusted—no, the one he had loved above all others, had turned on him in a twisted act of betrayal.
The space around him began to distort, shifting in a strange way. The white void rippled like water, its smooth surface warping and twisting, as if the very fabric of reality was unraveling. Maxwell tried to focus, to will himself out of this disorienting state, but his mind remained clouded. His body, too, felt alien to him.
Then, the voice came. At first, it was a faint whisper, just a murmur on the edge of his consciousness. He wasn't sure if it was real, or if it was simply his mind playing tricks on him. But then it grew louder, more distinct, and impossible to ignore.
"You must be Maxwell Zinnia," the female voice said nonchalantly. "Consider yourself lucky. It seems you're about to be reborn into my universe."
"Who…" Maxwell's voice trembled, barely a whisper, as if the effort to speak was too much for him. "Who's there?" he asked again,before his frustration forced the words out louder. "Where am I? What is this place?"
His eyes darted around, but there was nothing to see but endless white. There was something otherworldly about this place, something that felt wrong. It wasn't just the stillness or the strange, empty void that surrounded him. It was reality itself that was stretching, about to snap.
"I suppose I can answer your questions, though you won't remember them once you're reborn," the voice responded. "You see, I am the goddess of this universe."
Maxwell felt a cold shiver down his spine at the words, but he had no time to react before the voice continued.
"You are currently in a space between worlds, a place where time doesn't flow as it should. It's a realm where reality itself bends and fractures, constantly shifting. Nothing here is permanent—everything is in a state of flux, waiting to collapse or reshape itself."
"Well, if that's all, then enjoy your new life in my universe," the goddess of the universe said casually, as if she were dismissing an insignificant matter.
Before Maxwell could react, the space around him began to shift violently, warping and twisting in unnatural ways. The once white void shattered like glass, its edges distorting and blending into one another.
Maxwell's senses were overwhelmed by the pull of the distortion. His vision blurred, his mind struggling to make sense of the chaos. But it was no use. The pressure, the confusion—it was too much. He felt himself losing grip on consciousness.
And just like that, everything became nothing. Maxwell passed out.
In the open fields outside of Calla Lily, a light rain fell slowly. Gray cloud's that stretched endlessly above. The grass swayed gently in the breeze, the air fresh with the scent of rain.
A young boy lay in the middle of the field, his chest rose and fell steadily. His face had an expression of calm innocence, untouched by the complexities of the world that awaited him.
Beside him, a monster slept as well, its massive body curled protectively around the boy. Despite its intimidating appearance, there was a gentleness to the way it rested, its posture relaxed as it kept watch over the boy without a care in the world.
Suddenly, the boy shot up from the ground, gasping for air, his breath frantic. His hand holding his chest, clutching it tightly. His eyes looked around, looking at the unfamiliar surroundings.
The monster beside him stood up, its large, amber eyes locking onto the boy. The creature's muscles tensed, and its massive head tilted slightly in concern. It let out a low, rumbling sound, as it leaned closer.
The boy's frantic breathing began to slow, though his hands still trembled. The monster's protective instincts kicked in, and it nudged the boy gently with its arm, as if trying to comfort him or make sure he was alright. The boy looked at the creature, the familiar sight of its presence grounding him just a little more.
"Where am I? Who am I...?" The boy's voice trembled as he spoke. His hand gripped his chest tighter, as though trying to steady his racing heart. "My name is...?" He trailed off, the words slipping away from him, as if they were just out of reach.
He looked around again, trying to make sense of the strange world. Nothing felt familiar, nothing felt right, lost in a place he didn't belong.
"I remember... my name is Maxwell Zinnia…" The boy's voice grew steadier. He blinked, as if waking from a long, disorienting dream. Slowly, he pushed himself up, his legs unsteady beneath him, and leaned against the monster for support.
Gladiolus, the creature's massive form, gave a low, comforting growl as it stood with him. Maxwell took a deep breath, feeling the ground beneath his feet more clearly now.
"You're my pet, Gladiolus," Maxwell muttered, the name coming to him like an old memory returning. He let his hand rest on the creature's back, the touch oddly reassuring, as if the bond between them was the only thing that still made sense in this strange world.
Maxwell stumbled forward, his legs still shaky, and approached a nearby signpost. His eyes narrowed as he read the words across it, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar place.
The sign read: Welcome to Calla Lily.
"Calla Lily?" Maxwell murmured to himself, the name unfamiliar to him. "I might be able to learn something there."
He looked at Gladiolus, who had stayed loyally by his side. The creature's amber eyes met his, its massive body towering protectively over him. Maxwell gave the monster a small nod, a silent agreement passing between them.
"Let's go, Gladiolus," Maxwell said, his voice more determined now, as he walked towards the distant town. He could only hope that whatever lay ahead would give him the answers he so desperately needed.
As they walked side by side, the rain continued to fall lightly, the rhythmic sound of the drops accompanying their every step.
After an hour of walking, Maxwell finally arrived at Calla Lily with Gladiolus. However, as they entered the town, he quickly noticed the strange looks they were receiving. Passersby stopped in their tracks, eyes wide, staring at Gladiolus as if they had never seen such a creature before. Some even took a cautious step back, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion.
Maxwell could feel their stares, but he kept walking, trying to ignore the uncomfortable attention. Gladiolus, ever watchful, kept pace beside him.
What amazed Maxwell the most was the town itself. Calla Lily was a blend of nature and magic, where towering trees with shimmering leaves in every color imaginable encircled cottages and mystical structures. The air itself seemed alive, charged with a subtle hum of elemental energy that gave the entire town an otherworldly, enchanting quality.
The buildings were old, yet their architecture was nothing short of magnificent. Carved into the stone and wood of the structures were symbols representing different magical elements—swirling patterns of air, fiery embers, flowing water, and solid earth. Emblems of the sun, a blooming elemental flower, a lightning bolt, and a plain black tile adorned the walls, each carrying its own meaning. There were also magical staffs and representations of the galaxy of their dimension.
As Maxwell walked through the streets, he noticed how the residents seemed to move with ease, their gestures often accompanied by the subtle manipulation of the elements around them. Fire danced in the palms of a few, water flowed gently from the tips of others' fingers, and the air itself seemed to bend and twist in response to their movements.
The marketplaces were a rainbow of colors and activity, with enchanters proudly displaying their crafted items and magic-infused trinkets. The aroma of herbs and potions filled the air from the stalls of the local alchemists, further adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the town.
At the very heart of Calla Lily stood a massive crystal, adapted to the mana in the air and the flow of elemental energy. It towered in the center of the town, catching the sunlight and casting hues across the square. The crystal shifted in color as the day passed, creating a display that seemed to breathe with the pulse of the town itself.
Despite the ancient charm of Calla Lily, there was a surprising lightness in the air. The young people of the town were carefree, enjoying life to its fullest. Only a few chose to become scholars or dedicated themselves to mastering their elemental gifts. The majority of the residents reveled in the simple joys of life.
As Maxwell continued walking through the streets of Calla Lily, he suddenly felt a presence behind him. Turning, he saw a large man standing in his path, his broad shoulders and towering body casting a shadow over him. A heavy Warhammer was strapped securely to his back, the weapon's imposing size matching the man's physical stature.
The man appeared not to be threatening despite his physique, he scanned Maxwell and Gladiolus before settling on the boy. "You must be the one with the monster the locals were staring at earlier," he said, his voice deep and gruff.
Maxwell took a step back, instinctively placing a hand on Gladiolus's side, but his voice remained calm. "I'm not looking for trouble," he replied, his eyes meeting the man's. "I'm just looking for answers…"
"Looking for answers…? That's rather vague," the man said, narrowing his eyes as he studied Maxwell. "What kind of answers are you searching for, exactly? And what's your name, boy?" His voice was firm, but there was a curiosity hidden beneath the gruff exterior.
Maxwell took a deep breath, then answered, "My name is Maxwell Zinnia." He paused for a moment, his gaze never leaving the man's face. "And yours?"
"My name is Sidgroth Blackfire…"