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The Shadow Between Worlds

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Synopsis

Chapter 1 - The World in the Shadow of Portals

The year was 1853, the moment when the world as humanity knew it ceased to exist. The first portal appeared above the city of Galthor, illuminating the sky with a strange, pulsating glow. At first, the townspeople believed it to be a divine sign, but they were soon proven wrong. From the portal came creatures that looked as though they were born from nightmares. At first, they were small and primitive, easy for soldiers to dispatch. But as the portals began appearing more frequently, the monsters became larger, smarter, and deadlier. Humanity quickly realized they were no longer at the top of the food chain.

It was during this time that certain humans began to awaken magical abilities. No one understood why it happened. Some said it was a gift from the gods, while others believed the portals were influencing human souls. Those who gained such powers were called Awakened. Each magical ability was unique, as if it reflected the deepest parts of an individual's personality. Some Awakened used their powers to fight monsters, while others sought power, influence, or survival in the new world.

The monsters themselves left behind magic crystals upon death, concentrated remnants of their magical essence. These crystals were highly valuable. They could be used directly as a source of energy to power weapons, or absorbed by the Awakened to enhance their powers. However, the extent of the enhancement depended on the individual and the quality of the crystal.

Kieran walked silently through a grassy plain under a clouded, overcast sky. His steps were quiet, calculated, as though he were a shadow moving across the earth. He was tall, his black hair falling messily over his forehead, and his eyes burned with a vivid crimson glow that seemed to pierce through the gloom. His expression was calm, almost emotionless, but his gaze carried a profound disdain for the world around him. Kieran was a loner, ever since he discovered his power. His magical ability allowed him to step into another dimension—a dark, empty place where time seemed to stand still. From this dimension, he could observe his world while remaining unseen and untouchable. However, entering and exiting the dimension took several seconds and drained his physical stamina. Despite its risks, the ability had saved his life more times than he could count.

A deep, guttural roar broke the silence of the plain, pulling Kieran from his thoughts. He stopped, narrowing his eyes as he listened. From the tall grass emerged a creature, its shape twisted and unnatural. It looked like a hybrid of a wolf and a lizard, its lithe body covered in reflective, scaly armor. Its elongated jaws dripped with a viscous, foul-smelling liquid. The creature's body stretched nearly four meters long, its muscular limbs moving with lethal grace.

Kieran stood his ground, his red eyes fixed on the beast with cold detachment. "Are you starting, or should I?" he muttered, his voice barely louder than the wind. The monster lunged forward, its movements a blur. Its claws tore through the air with a sharp whistle, aiming directly for Kieran's throat. At the last moment, Kieran stepped to the side, evading the attack with the precision of someone who had done this a thousand times before. He unsheathed his sword—a simple but durable weapon. Its blade emitted a faint magical glow, a testament to the energy it contained.

The creature snarled and turned, its glowing yellow eyes locking onto its prey once more. It charged again, but this time, Kieran didn't dodge. Instead, he disappeared. In the blink of an eye, he entered his dimension. The world around him became still and muted, the colors draining into a dark grayscale. He watched as the beast stumbled in confusion, its senses searching for him in vain. Kieran reappeared four seconds later, a faint shimmer marking his return. He was behind the creature now, and his sword lashed out in a swift arc. The blade bit into the beast's scaly neck, leaving a deep wound that oozed black blood. The creature howled in pain and turned to retaliate, but Kieran was already gone, his form flickering into his dimension once again.

This time, he stayed only for a moment before emerging at the beast's flank. He struck again, driving his sword into the creature's side. With a final, anguished roar, the beast collapsed onto the ground, its body twitching before going still. Kieran stood over the corpse, his breathing steady despite the exertion. Slowly, he extended a hand. From the creature's body emerged a glowing green crystal, hovering briefly before dropping into his palm. He studied the crystal, feeling the faint hum of its energy resonate in his hand. Absorbing the crystal would strengthen his power, though how much was always uncertain. It could also exhaust him further, depending on its quality.

"Worth the risk," he muttered, closing his eyes as he focused. The crystal dissolved into pure energy, flowing through his body. Kieran felt a surge of power, but also the familiar heaviness settling into his muscles. He exhaled slowly, adjusting to the sensation. Without a glance back at the fallen beast, Kieran continued his journey across the plain. He didn't need companions. He sought neither friendship nor glory. His only goal was survival—and answers. The portals held a secret, one that had turned the world into a battleground between humanity and monsters. Kieran intended to uncover that secret, no matter the cost. Alone, he would face whatever awaited him.