Kael waded into the cool river, the water swirling around his small legs. Being only around six years old, his slight frame struggled to balance against the current. His hands gripped the spear tightly, its tip wobbling with his trembling arms. Catching fish was no easy task, especially for someone his size.
He stood still, his dark eyes locked on the silvery shapes darting through the water. Each attempt so far had ended in failure, his small spear missing its mark. Frustration gnawed at him, but he pressed on.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, another fish swam close to his feet. It shimmered in the sunlight, its smooth body gliding effortlessly through the current. Kael's muscles tensed. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his aim, his small hands gripping the spear as firmly as they could.
With a swift thrust, he drove the spear downward. To his surprise, it struck true, skewering the fish cleanly. It thrashed violently, spraying water everywhere. Kael pushed the spear deeper, using all his strength to keep the fish from escaping.
"Got you!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.
Lifting the fish from the water with every strength he had, Kael marveled at his catch. It was about a foot long, its silver scales gleaming like polished metal. The fish's translucent fins fluttered weakly, and its gills opened and closed in futile attempts to draw breath.
Kael trudged back to the shore, his bare feet squelching against the muddy bank. He set the fish down carefully, its shimmering body glinting in the afternoon sun.
"One's not enough," he muttered, glancing back at the river. His stomach growled, urging him to catch more.
The process repeated itself, though his small frame and weak grip made the task arduous. He waited patiently, the cool water biting at his legs. Another fish swam by, and after several more attempts, Kael managed to skewer a second one, slightly smaller but still decent in size.
With his two catches secured, he began preparing them. Earlier, while searching the riverbank, he had stumbled upon a piece of black obsidian. Using his limited strength and ingenuity, he chipped it into a crude blade. Though far from perfect, it was sharp enough for his needs.
The blade sliced easily through the fish's belly as Kael cleaned it. He decided to save the smaller fish for dinner, setting it aside while he skewered the larger one over the fire.
As the fish roasted, the smoky aroma filled the air, making his mouth water. The skin crisped under the flames, juices sizzling as they dripped into the fire. Kael's stomach growled loudly as he watched, the wait almost unbearable.
When the fish was finally ready, he dug in without hesitation. The flavor was simple—unseasoned and earthy—but it was enough to satisfy his gnawing hunger.
"Finally," he sighed, leaning back and patting his stomach. For a brief moment, he felt content.
But there was no time to relax. The sun was dipping lower, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Kael knew he needed shelter before night fell.
He weighed his options aloud. "Not enough time to build one. I'll have to find something—maybe a hollow tree or a cave."
He scouted the area, his small frame darting between the trees. The eerie silence struck him as odd. No chirping birds, no rustling leaves, no signs of life other than the fish he had caught earlier.
"This place feels... strange," he murmured, noting the unfamiliar plants growing around him. Their alien shapes and colors confirmed his suspicions. "I really might be in another world."
The realization hit him harder than he expected. He wasn't on Earth anymore. The comforting familiarity of home felt impossibly distant.
After some time, Kael stumbled upon a cave entrance hidden behind a cluster of bushes. The opening was modest, large enough for him to crouch through but not big enough for anything larger to squeeze inside. Cautiously, he peered in.
"Looks clear," he muttered, relief washing over him. The cave was dry and surprisingly spacious inside, with enough room to set up a small fire without suffocating from the smoke.
Kael gathered some stones and branches to partially block the entrance, creating a makeshift barrier against the elements. Once the fire was lit, its warm glow illuminated the rough, uneven walls.
…..
As night fell, Kael sat by the fire, eating the smaller fish he had set aside earlier for dinner . Staring into the fire's flickering light. He looked down at his small hands, the reality of his situation sinking in.
"This isn't like those novels," he said quietly.
His thoughts turned to his family. He pictured his parents, their warm smiles and gentle voices. His sister, who had just graduated and started working last year, could take care of their parents and little brother. But the thought of them mourning his absence made his chest ache.
"Why did this happen to me?" he whispered, his voice trembling.
Kael's mind wandered to the stories he'd read about people who transmigrated to other worlds, always granted some miraculous system or advantage. "So where's my system?" he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.
The strange, silent forest surrounded him, and though his heart was heavy with thoughts of home, he knew he had to adapt. As all kinds of thoughts flooded his mind, the faces of the people he loved dearly surfaced one after another. "Well, I'm already here, currently with no way and not an inkling of how to return," he said. The thought of possibly finding a way back fueled his determination to survive.
"There's definitely a way. If something could send me here, there's definitely a way out there that can send me back," he muttered with determination in his voice.
"And I will find that way." He clenched his fists, hardening his resolve. With these messy thoughts in mind, he gradually drifted into sleep.
But not long after falling into deep sleep, he felt a pull he couldn't resist.