The world around Ryo felt wrong. The sky wasn't the familiar blue of Earth, but an unsettling, swirling mix of colors—crimson streaks cut across deep purple clouds. The trees were twisted, their leaves shimmering like molten silver. The grass beneath his feet felt soft but eerily cold, like frost on metal.
Where... am I? he thought, eyes wide, hand gripping the hilt of his weapon tighter than ever before. His heart pounded in his chest, sweat beading on his forehead. He wanted to scream, but his voice wouldn't come out.
His mind raced. This isn't a dungeon. It's not Earth. What the hell is this place?
As if on autopilot, his hand twitched, and a familiar shimmer appeared beside him. A clone materialized, stretching and yawning.
Clone: (grinning) Oh, great! Another dungeon run, huh? Man, you really love dragging me into these. (mockingly) "Oh, help me, mighty clone!" Yeah, yeah—
The clone's voice trailed off as his eyes adjusted to their surroundings. His smirk faded. His eyes darted to the sky, then to the twisted trees, then to the bizarrely cold grass. His jaw dropped.
Clone: (stammering) Uh... w-what... where are we? Ryo... what is this place?
Ryo didn't respond. He was still processing.
Clone: (voice rising) Ryo! Seriously! What... the... hell?!
Ryo's eyes finally met his clone's. They were wide, filled with the same confusion and fear.
Ryo: (muttering, almost to himself) I... I don't know. I didn't— I mean, this shouldn't... this doesn't make sense.
Clone: (wildly gesturing) Doesn't make sense? That's all you've got? This place looks like a sci-fi nightmare! What did you do?!
Ryo: (defensive) Me?! I didn't do anything! I just... opened my door... and...
Clone: And BAM! We're in wherever this is! Brilliant. Just brilliant. (voice dripping with sarcasm) So, what's the plan, oh fearless leader?
Ryo's grip on his weapon tightened. He tried to steady his breathing. Stay calm... stay calm...
Clone: (voice shaking) You're not calm. Don't even pretend. I can feel it. You're freaking out, and guess what? So am I!
Ryo: (murmuring) This... this can't be real.
Clone: (laughing nervously) Oh, it's real. Too real. The grass feels like it's judging me! Look at those trees! Are they... whispering?
Ryo: (whispering) This isn't a dungeon. I've never... felt this way before.
Clone: No kidding. Dungeons have a vibe, you know? A... "welcome to your potential doom" vibe. This? This feels... wrong.
Ryo's eyes darted around, searching for any familiar landmark. There was nothing. Just more twisted nature and that swirling sky. His thoughts were racing.
Stay calm... assess... survive...
Clone: (voice dropping) Ryo... are we even on Earth?
Ryo's throat tightened. He didn't have an answer. The silence stretched between them, heavy and oppressive.
Suddenly, a rustling sound echoed from the twisted trees. Both Ryo and his clone snapped to attention.
Ryo: (whispering) Did you hear that?
Clone: (voice shaking) Yep. Definitely heard that. And I'm gonna go ahead and guess it's not a friendly welcome party.
From the shadows emerged a creature unlike anything they had ever seen. Its body was serpentine, covered in iridescent scales that shimmered and shifted colors. Multiple eyes dotted its elongated head, each one glowing with an eerie light. Its mouth opened, revealing rows of jagged, crystalline teeth.
Clone: (wide-eyed) Nope. Nope. Nope. I didn't sign up for this.
Ryo: (hoarsely) What... is that?
The creature lunged, moving with unnatural speed. Ryo barely dodged, his heart pounding. The clone wasn't as lucky—he took a glancing blow, tumbling backward.
Clone: (groaning) Okay... ow. That... that hurt.
Ryo: (shouting) Get up! We need to—
The creature lunged again, forcing Ryo to roll to the side. His weapon was out, but his hands were trembling.
Clone: (scrambling to his feet) Summon more! We need help!
Ryo: (panicking) I don't know if—
Clone: (desperate) Just do it!
Ryo's hands moved instinctively. One by one, more clones materialized—20 in total. Each one looked around, confusion and fear etched on their faces.
Clone 1: (eyes wide) What... is happening?!
Clone 2: (pointing) Is that... a dragon? A snake? A... what?!
Clone 3: (voice high-pitched) Why are we here?!
Ryo: (yelling) Focus! All of you! We need to take this thing down!
The clones hesitated, but when the creature roared and charged again, survival instincts kicked in. They swarmed the beast, weapons flashing.
Clone 4: (swinging his weapon) I hate this place!
Clone 5: (dodging) Stay in formation!
Clone 6: (panting) There's no formation! We don't have one!
The battle was chaotic, desperate. The creature was stronger, faster—every blow it landed sent a clone flying. Ryo fought alongside them, every muscle screaming, every breath ragged.
Clone 7: (grunting) Ryo! We're not gonna make it!
Ryo: (voice breaking) We have to! We have to...
His mind was a blur of fear and adrenaline. This wasn't like any dungeon he had ever faced. This was something else. Something worse.
Clone 8: (staggering) Why... are you so calm?
Ryo: (shouting) I'm not!
The clones faltered. The creature roared again, preparing for another strike.
Clone 9: (desperation in his voice) Ryo... what if we can't win?
Ryo's eyes met his clone's. For a moment, the fear was raw, shared.
Ryo: (whispering) Then we run.
The clones nodded. They fought harder, buying time. Finally, they saw an opening. Ryo shouted the command, and they scattered, retreating into the twisted forest.
Clone 10: (panting) What now?
Ryo: (voice shaking) We... we survive. We find answers.
The clones looked at him, their eyes mirroring his fear.
Clone: (quietly) We're lost, aren't we?
Ryo didn't answer. He didn't need to.
The twisted forest loomed around them, the sky swirling ominously. They had escaped—for now. But the real battle had only just begun.