Since the invention of portal technology, Earth has been connected to the Abandoned World. These portals, known as gateways, were large enough for dozens of people to enter side by side.
Vex's unique power functioned similarly, linking two specific gateways—one in each world.
However, a meteor had destroyed the gateway in the Abandoned World, so he expected to be transported to the nearest city's gateway instead
But he didn't.
When Vex stepped through the portal, he found himself in a strange, dimly lit hall.
The first thing he noticed was the illustrious stained-glass windows glowing with artificial light.
Shifting his gaze, Vex noticed murals lining the walls, each depicting horrific, inhumane acts.
Cannibalism through eating a man's heart, monstrous children whipping human adults, seemingly infinite darkness enveloping the humanity.
An eclipse...
Vex's heart stirred at the sight. Those murals were frightening to say the least. The shock from such sight made Vex completely ignore the sound of falling crystals. There were no crystals under his shirt anymore. In fact, there was no shirt at all.
Suddenly, a man stepped forward, blocking Vex's view.
It was a handsome tall middle-aged man with gray hair.
"Is the place to your liking?" The man asked.
Vex's already fast beating heart started racing as he recognized danger. 'He's at least an Adept. Maybe even Exalted!'
Awakening was a process of self-nurturing and ascension to a higher existence. While many paths led to this transformation, all shared the same power hierarchy. The first realm was Adept, or Rank 1 Awakened. The next level was... Exalted.
Although Vex had seen many Adepts from afar, including professors at the academy, he had never spoken to one. Not to mention one in such a suspicious place, clearly a resident of the cruel Abandoned World.
"I just arrived." Vex spoke, trying to hide his increasing panic. He made sure to not let the mysterious man notice essence crystals in his mouth.
The man nodded approvingly. "Good answer. You're cautious, I like that."
Before Vex could fully grasp the man's words, the man continued. "However, don't think that you can trespass upon the holy ground of wisdom unpunished."
The man raised his hand, a soft, ominous light radiating from his palm.
An intense chill surged through Vex, every cell in his body screaming danger. "Wait! It was an accident! I was teleported here!" he shouted, his voice tinged with desperation.
The light in the man's palm dimmed slightly. "Teleported? How?"
"I-" Vex gulped. "I'm not sure."
Seeing the man frown, Vex hurriedly added, "The gateway connecting this world to mine was destroyed, so my gateway teleported me to the nearest one!"
Vex blurted out the explanation, barely considering his words or their coherence.
The man's frown deepened. "You're from a subordinate world? Were humans outside also enslaved?"
Vex's eye twitched at the mention of a subordinate world. Earth had a dark history of attempting to conquer the Abandoned World. The results... weren't pleasing.
As a result, many top Awakened from Earth were recruited as talents for the human regions of the Abandoned World, while Earth was forced to pay tribute annually. It wasn't Vex's fault, but he couldn't help feeling his ancestors had been foolish, trying to blindly conquer another world just because they had a few bombs.
"Yes. And humans still hold a few regions in the Abandoned World." Vex answered hastily.
"Good." The man finally lowered his hand, his expression half-pleased.
An awkward silence followed as the man seemed lost in thought.
'What's going on!? Why was I teleported in front of a super strong guy? I thought I'd be teleported to the nearest city or returned home on Earth!' Vex felt his misfortune arising again.
It was always like that. Whenever he went, misfortune followed. Sometimes it struck him directly, but more often, it affected those around him.
A few moments later, the man's eyes turned icy. "You still trespassed."
Vex stared silently at the man, not daring to avert his gaze. Secretly, he tried stirring energy inside him to create a portal connected to his room on Earth but it was impossible. Something was blocking him.
"But... I can forgive you." The man said in a suspicious voice.
"What do I have to do?" Vex wondered aloud with a gulp.
It was clear the man would make a demand. Whatever it was, Vex figured it was better than dying.
"You are standing on the holy ground of the Church of Wisdom. Tell me, how do you think one can be exempt from punishment?" The man asked.
Vex felt like grimacing. 'Why are you asking me? You are the one acting all high and mighty.'
Uncertain if it was a test, he hesitated for a moment before answering awkwardly, "If someone becomes a member?"
"Correct." The man nodded, and as he did, clothing resembling his own appeared in his hands.
A white-and-green priest robe and a necklace with a symbol of a dove were presented to Vex.
"Must I wear this?" Vex asked. He really didn't like wearing white.
"Why? Do you think your current clothes are better?" the man sneered.
The question made Vex glance down, only to realize... he was completely naked.
He'd forgotten to break an essence crystal and spread its powder on his clothes. Mundane objects couldn't pass through the portal, and his clothes were no exception.
Awkwardly chuckling, Vex accepted the clothes and necklace. He slipped on the robe and stuffed the necklace into his pocket, earning a side-eye from the man.
Vex crouched to gather the essence crystals that had fallen without his shirt's support. Carefully, he removed two more crystals from his mouth. As he tucked them all into his pocket, he noticed the man raising an eyebrow.
"So? Why did you let me go?" Vex asked, feeling bolder now that he was officially part of the Church.
"I need all the help I can get," the man sighed, turning away.
"Follow me. We're going to war."