Chapter 1: Under the Tree

Nathan wiped the sweat from his brow and leaned on his hoe, surveying his farm with quiet pride. The afternoon sun bathed the land in golden light, and a gentle breeze rustled the rows of crops swaying in rhythm. Each sprout, every inch of the soil, bore the mark of his hard work.

At 25, Nathan had carved out a life he could call his own. After years of grueling labor, saving every coin he could scrape together, and learning the trade from his late grandfather, his dream had finally taken root.

"Grandpa," he murmured, his voice tinged with wistfulness, "you would've loved this."

His gaze shifted to the towering oak tree that stood at the edge of the field. Its gnarled roots twisted deep into the soil, and its ancient branches provided a perfect canopy of shade. That tree had been his sanctuary after countless long, grueling days.

Nathan set down his hoe and trudged toward the oak, his muscles heavy with fatigue from plowing and planting all morning. The call of the shade was irresistible. As he slumped against the sturdy trunk, the earthy scent of the bark mingled with the sweet aroma of ripe crops.

"Just a quick nap," he muttered, tipping his straw hat over his eyes.

The warm hum of the world lulled him to sleep: the whisper of the breeze, the chirp of birds, the steady rhythm of his heart.

***

Nathan jolted awake. The serene world he'd fallen asleep in had vanished. The air was charged with an electric energy that set his nerves on edge.

Dark clouds churned in the sky, their unnatural spirals blocking out the sun. A sharp wind howled across the field, carrying the metallic tang of an impending storm.

"What in the world…?" Nathan stood, his heart hammering.

A brilliant flash of lightning split the sky, illuminating the ominous scene. His instincts screamed at him to run, but his feet remained rooted. A second bolt tore through the air, striking the old oak tree with deafening force.

Nathan's vision exploded with light. A shockwave sent him sprawling backward, his body engulfed in searing pain. It felt as though fire coursed through his veins, burning him from the inside out.

He gasped, his thoughts unraveling as the agony consumed him. If I'm going to die… at least let it be somewhere more exciting.

And then, darkness.

***

When Nathan opened his eyes again, he wasn't on his farm.

The sky above was an endless blue, its tranquility at odds with the storm he remembered. The ground beneath him was soft and cool, carpeted with lush grass that stretched endlessly into the horizon. Towering trees stood in the distance, their trunks impossibly thick, their canopies a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues.

"What… happened?" Nathan muttered, his voice weak.

He pushed himself upright, his limbs trembling. The pain was gone, replaced by an odd lightness. As he tried to make sense of his surroundings, a soft chime echoed in his mind.

A glowing screen appeared before him, its golden letters shimmering.

Welcome to the Realm of Elara.

You have received: The Blessings of Nature.

Skills unlocked: Seedling Bond, Nature's Whisper, Greenfinger.

Nathan blinked. His mouth opened to speak, but no words came out. Tentatively, he reached toward the screen. His hand passed through it like mist, causing the text to shift.

System Message:

Congratulations on being chosen by the World Tree! You are now bound to nature's essence. Use your blessings wisely to survive and thrive in this world.

"This… this has to be a dream," Nathan whispered. He pinched his arm, but the sharp sting only deepened his confusion.

A low growl shattered the eerie calm.

Nathan turned, his breath catching in his throat. A hulking beast stalked toward him, its yellow eyes gleaming with predatory intent. It resembled a wolf, but its massive size and jagged, bone-like spikes marked it as something far more dangerous.

Panic surged through him, freezing him in place as the creature crouched, muscles coiled to strike.

Then he saw it—a faint light flickering amidst the grass. The glow pulsed gently, as if calling to him.

Without thinking, Nathan bolted toward it.

The wolf snarled and lunged, its claws slicing through the air just inches behind him. Nathan's heart pounded as he sprinted, his feet propelled by sheer terror. The glowing orb danced ahead of him, leading him through the dense field.

The creature's growls grew fainter, and soon, the landscape opened into a clearing. In its center stood a small wooden building, smoke curling lazily from its chimney. The sound of children's laughter echoed faintly.

Nathan collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. The glowing light hovered above him for a moment before fading away.

The door to the building creaked open, and a woman stepped out. Her auburn hair was tied back in a loose braid, and her kind eyes widened in surprise as she hurried toward him.

"By the spirits! Are you all right?" she exclaimed, kneeling beside him.

"I… think so," Nathan rasped, though his body ached.

The woman helped him to his feet, her touch warm and steady. "You're lucky you found your way here. The plains are no place for a child."

Nathan blinked at her. "A child?"

She frowned and gestured toward a nearby window. Nathan staggered to his feet, his reflection drawing his gaze—and freezing him in place.

The face staring back at him wasn't his own. Instead of the rugged, sun-weathered features of a 25-year-old farmer, he saw a boy no older than six, his dark hair tousled and his wide eyes filled with confusion.

"What… what's happening to me?" he whispered.

The woman placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Come inside. My husband and I will figure out how to help you."

***

The interior of the building was warm and inviting, filled with the chatter and laughter of children. Nathan quickly realized it was an orphanage. The woman, Clara, introduced herself and her husband, Robert—a broad-shouldered man with a bushy beard.

As Nathan sat by the fire, sipping herbal tea, Clara and Robert listened patiently as he tried to piece together his scattered memories.

"So, lad," Robert said after a long silence. "Do you have a name?"

Nathan hesitated. For a moment, he thought of his past life, his former name, but something inside told him to keep it simple. After a moment, he shook his head.

"I don't remember… but you can call me Nathan."

Clara's brow furrowed with sympathy. "Poor thing. You've been through so much."

Robert nodded. "Well then, we'll call you Nathan Azure. 'Nathan' brings strength, and 'Azure'… suits someone who fell from the sky."

Nathan swallowed hard, overwhelmed by their kindness. "Thank you," he said softly.

Clara smiled, ruffling his hair. "Welcome to the Azure Orphanage, Nathan."

For the first time since waking in this strange new world, Nathan felt a flicker of hope. Whatever lay ahead, he wasn't alone anymore.