Kael's body felt heavy, as though he was sinking into a deep abyss. His mind floated somewhere between wakefulness and sleep, the cave's faint sounds fading into an eerie silence.
He found himself standing in a vast, dark void. The silence here was profound, broken only by his own uneven breaths. Floating ahead of him was the book—the same book that got him in this mess. Its leather cover pulsed faintly, as though it were alive.
Kael tried to speak but realized he couldn't. His entire body was immobilized, as though every muscle was tied and restricted. The only thing he could do was stare at the floating book in front of him.
The book began to open on its own, its pages flipping as though an unseen hand guided them. Runes and symbols glowed softly on the first page, their light illuminating the darkness around him.
The glowing symbols lifted off the page, hovering like ethereal fireflies. They moved slowly at first, circling around him in a deliberate pattern. The faint hum of magic filled the air, growing louder as the symbols' rotation sped up.
'This… this doesn't feel real,' Kael thought,
The glowing runes now whirled around him in a vortex of light and energy. He felt their pressure in the air, the sensation both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Then, without warning, the runes slammed into his chest like a tidal wave.
Kael jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat. His chest heaved as he gasped for air, the memory of the dream still vivid in his mind. His hand instinctively clutched his chest, where he could still feel the phantom weight of the runes.
"What… what was that?" he muttered, his voice trembling.
The dim light filtering into the cave told him it was morning. He glanced toward the entrance, his breathing gradually slowing.
"That dream… and the book…" he murmured, a serious expression crossing his face.
Pushing himself up, Kael surveyed his surroundings. His clothes clung to him uncomfortably, soaked through with sweat. He patted his arms and chest, searching for any sign of change. But there was nothing.
"Just a dream?" he asked aloud, his brows furrowing.
To test his theory, Kael threw a few punches into the air. His movements were quick and fluid, but there was no noticeable difference in strength.
"Still the same," he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice. He continued testing, jumping, stretching, and even attempting to summon some form of power. But no matter what he tried, nothing happened.
He sighed heavily, leaning back against the cave wall. "What the hell was that all about? There's got to be something…"
After a few moments of thought, Kael gave up. He turned his attention to the entrance, noticing the faint golden hue of dawn spilling into the cave. The forest outside was still draped in shadows, the air cool and crisp.
"Guess I'll figure it out later," he muttered, pushing himself to his feet.
Kael stepped outside, the ground crunching softly beneath his footsteps. The faint scent of damp earth and pine filled his nostrils. He noticed the intricate patterns of roots crisscrossing the path near the cave, their gnarled forms creating natural steps. A light breeze rustled the leaves above, carrying with it the distant sound of birds waking.
"I'll need food," Kael said to himself, scanning the area.
As he walked, his eyes caught sight of a bush laden with small, vibrant red berries. He crouched down, studying them closely. The berries were smooth and round, glistening with dew. Tiny bird tracks surrounded the bush, and some of the berries had been pecked clean.
"If the birds are eating them…" Kael murmured, plucking a single berry. He sniffed it cautiously, noting its faintly sweet scent, then took a tentative bite.
The berry's flavor was tangy and refreshing, with no immediate ill effects. Kael waited several minutes before deciding it was safe to gather more. He filled a small pouch with the berries, but his stomach growled in protest.
"This won't be enough," he muttered, glancing toward the river he had discovered the day before.
Grabbing his spear, Kael made his way toward the water. The river was about 100 meters from the cave, its gentle sound growing louder as he approached. The path leading to it was uneven, strewn with fallen leaves and small rocks. Along the way, Kael noticed a cluster of mushrooms growing at the base of a tree. He made a mental note to check them later, though he wasn't confident in identifying them just yet.
Reaching the riverbank, Kael took a deep breath. The water was clear and cold, reflecting the soft light of the rising sun. He stepped into the shallows, the cool sensation numbing his feet slightly. Spear in hand, he focused on the darting movements of fish below the surface.
After several attempts—and no small amount of splashing—Kael finally speared a fish. Its scales shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight as he dragged it onto the shore.
Panting slightly from the effort, Kael secured the fish and watched as it stilled. But just as he was about to inspect his catch, something caught his eye.
A faint, sky-blue glow emanated from the fish's body. Kael froze, his grip on the spear tightening. The light grew brighter, before finally condensing into three small runes that floated above the fish.
"What… is this?" he whispered, stepping back cautiously.
The runes flickered and shifted, their forms constantly changing. Kael's pulse quickened as he studied them from a safe distance.
"Are they dangerous?" he wondered aloud.
After a few moments of hesitation, curiosity got the better of him. He stepped closer, his movements slow and cautious. The runes seemed to pulse in response, their glow intensifying.
Kael reached out cautiously, his hand trembling slightly. As his fingers neared one of the symbols, it floated toward him as if drawn by an invisible force.
"It's… moving?" he muttered, his voice barely audible.
The moment the rune touched his palm, a brilliant light erupted from his chest. A nebulous orb with three glowing rings manifested in front of him, its appearance both mesmerizing and terrifying.
Kael barely had time to react before the rune shot into the orb's center. Pain seared through his chest, forcing him to his knees.
"Shit! Shit!" he yelled, clutching his chest. His hands phased through the orb, unable to grasp anything. The pain was unlike anything he'd ever felt, sharp and all-consuming.
After what felt like an eternity, the agony abruptly stopped. Kael collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.
"Gasp… gasp…"
Before he could fully recover, information suddenly flooded his mind.
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