The first thing I remember clearly from my childhood is the overwhelming darkness of the Hex World. The memories are fractured, like broken shards of a mirror, but certain details remain vivid. The air was heavy and cold, and the shadows felt alive, as if they were watching me, waiting for something. I was only a boy then, barely able to understand what was happening. That place was no dream—I know that much for sure. It was real, and it's haunted me ever since.
Now, at sixteen, I live alone in Shanzen Village, a quiet, secluded place in the Azure Kingdom. My guardian, a kind farmer, passed away six years ago, leaving me to fend for myself. He always warned me about the monsters that roam at night, whispering, "Stay inside after dark, Daniel. No good ever comes from wandering out there." I listened, mostly because I didn't want to know what was lurking in the forests. But sometimes, I'd wake up in the middle of the woods, confused and terrified, with no memory of how I got there.
People in the village avoid me. They say I bring bad luck, that I'm cursed. Maybe they're right. I've seen things they haven't—things I can't explain. That's why I've spent most of my time in the mountains, far away from the whispers and fearful glances. The solitude is comforting, but it also leaves me with too much time to think. Questions swirl in my mind, questions about the Hex World and why it calls to me in my dreams. I need answers, and I'll find them, no matter what it takes.
One crisp morning, I was making my way up a narrow trail in the mountains, the early sunlight cutting through the mist. The ruins at the summit had always intrigued me, though I'd never dared to explore them. Today felt different. I was determined to uncover their secrets, even if it meant confronting the unknown.
As I approached the ruins, I noticed someone already there. He was kneeling by a stone pillar, brushing dirt away from intricate carvings. His dark hair was messy, and his clothes were covered in dust, but his eyes were sharp and focused. I hesitated, unsure whether to approach or turn back. Before I could decide, he looked up and smiled.
"You're braver than most," he said, standing and dusting off his hands. "Not many people come this far."
I blinked, caught off guard. "I didn't know anyone else came here. Who are you?"
"Leo," he replied, extending a hand. "Archaeologist. Or at least, that's what I tell people."
I shook his hand, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and caution. "Daniel. I live in the village down below."
"Ah, Shanzen," Leo said, nodding. "Quiet place. But you… you don't seem like the quiet type."
I frowned, unsure how to respond. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Leo chuckled. "Just an observation. You've got that look—like someone who's searching for something."
He wasn't wrong, but I didn't like how easily he'd read me. "What are you doing here?" I asked, changing the subject.
"Studying these ruins," Leo said, gesturing to the crumbling structures around us. "They're ancient, older than anything else in the Azure Kingdom. Most people ignore them, but I think they hold important clues."
"Clues to what?"
Leo's expression grew serious. "To the Hex World."
The mention of that name sent a chill down my spine. "You know about the Hex World?"
"More than most," Leo said, his tone cautious. "But I'm still piecing things together. That's why I'm here. These carvings… they're not just decorations. They tell a story."
He knelt by the pillar again, pointing to a series of symbols etched into the stone. "This one," he said, tracing a spiral with his finger, "represents the Void Entity. And this," he moved to a jagged line, "is the seal placed on it."
I leaned closer, my heart pounding. "How do you know that?"
"Years of study," Leo replied. "And a bit of intuition. But there's something else… something I can't quite figure out."
"What?"
Leo hesitated, then glanced at me. "Have you ever felt like you don't belong here? Like this world isn't your home?"
The question hit me like a punch to the gut. "All the time," I admitted.
Leo nodded, as if he'd expected my answer. "Then maybe you're connected to the Hex World, too."
I didn't know what to say. For years, I'd felt like an outsider, like something was pulling me toward a place I didn't understand. Now, this stranger was telling me I wasn't alone in that feeling. It was unsettling, but also strangely comforting.
We spent the rest of the day talking, our conversation weaving between history, myths, and personal stories. Leo was easy to talk to, his enthusiasm infectious. He told me about his travels, the things he'd discovered, and his theories about the Hex World. I listened intently, hanging on his every word. For the first time in years, I felt a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, Leo could help me find the answers I'd been searching for.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the ruins, Leo packed up his tools and slung his bag over his shoulder. "I'll be back tomorrow," he said. "There's still so much to uncover. You should come with me."
I hesitated, glancing at the darkening forest below. The farmer's warnings echoed in my mind, but I pushed them aside. "Alright," I said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Leo grinned. "Good. We're just getting started."
As I made my way back to the village, the sense of unease returned. The shadows seemed to stretch longer than usual, and the forest was eerily quiet. I quickened my pace, my eyes darting around for any sign of movement. By the time I reached my cabin, I was out of breath and trembling. I bolted the door and lit a lantern, the flickering light chasing away the darkness.
That night, my dreams were more vivid than ever. I saw the Hex World again, its dark, twisting landscapes stretching endlessly before me. The shadows whispered my name, their voices cold and mocking. At the center of it all was a stone, glowing with an ominous light. I reached out to touch it, but the moment my fingers brushed its surface, I woke up, drenched in sweat.
I sat up, my heart racing. The dream felt so real, as if the Hex World was calling to me, pulling me closer. I didn't know what it meant, but I was more determined than ever to find out. Tomorrow, I'd return to the ruins with Leo. Together, we'd uncover the truth, no matter what horrors awaited us.