Arvian's eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry. Even though the surroundings were uncannily familiar, something was strange.
A searing, sharp pain shot through his body, radiating from his wrist.
When he looked up, he saw that he was suspended in midair by thick chains that bound his wrists.
His body dangled like a marionette as the cold, unforgiving metal sank into his skin, leaving his arms agonizingly stretched above him.
"Was... was this all a dream?" His voice was barely audible as he mumbled, his confusion and fear taking over.
'It felt too real....I want to....go back to my world..'
Suddenly, the chains broke with a harsh metallic crack, and Arvian fell on the ground.
The pain in his wrists was far worse than the shock of the impact that sent through his battered body.
The broken chains' sharp edges had sunk deep into his skin, leaving him with deadly, raw wounds.
He was having trouble breathing, and blood was pouring down his arms and collecting around him. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to remain conscious in spite of the unbearable pain, even though his vision became blurry.
"Agh, I need to escape from here?" he whispered hoarsely, his voice barely audible over the sound of his labored breathing.
Arvian struggled to his feet, his body trembling with every effort. He was unable to move due to the pain in his arms, which hung limp at his sides, and his legs were trembling under the weight.
He gritted his teeth and staggered toward the door, struggling with each step.
When he finally reached it, he leaned heavily against the frame, using his shoulder for balance. He leaned forward, his mouth tight around the door handle in desperation.
He grunted and turned his head, pushing the door open. The creak of the hinges echoed in the silence, and he stumbled forward into whatever awaited him on the other side.
***
The moon shone in the darkness, illuminating the world with its silvery radiance.
The first breath of fresh air that Arvian had felt in a long time hit him as he staggered out of the basement, his chest heaving.
Despite his shaky legs, he forced himself forward and dragged his bruised body over the rough ground.
After struggling for what seemed like hours, he reached the edge of the land where ocean waves crashed against the shore. Without hesitation, he ran and leaped into the water.
He swam, pushing his arms and legs to move in spite of the pain as the icy waves engulfed him. Stroke after stroke, he pushed forward, driven by sheer determination to survive.
After swimming for a while, his strength gave out, and his vision blurred.
The cold water dragged at his exhausted body until, unable to fight any longer, he lost consciousness in the middle of the vast expanse.
***
Arvian found himself in a foggy, surreal world. Another version of himself was sitting on an almost ethereal, intangible chair in front of him.
The physique of this other self was more refined and powerful, and it exuded a sense of composed authority.
Its hands rested lightly on its lap, and it stared at Arvian with piercing eyes. Then it spoke, its voice resonating deeply, filled with quiet intensity.
"Did you understand the pain that I felt?"
Arvian knelt, his arms shackled by an eon-long invisible chain that went on infinity.
The weight of it felt crushing, like a force he couldn't escape. He was furious and his heart was pounding as he stared at the figure.
"Who the hell are you?" He yelled, his voice resonating through the hazy silence.
The other version of Arvian didn't respond to his question. Instead, he stood from the chair, and in an instant, the environment shifted. The fog vanished, replaced by a bustling city.
They stood on top of a towering building, the wind howling around them.
The figure walked to the edge, gazing down at the vast expanse below. His voice was calm, as though he had seen it all before.
"I know everything," he said, pausing for a moment. "I know the future as well."
He turned to face Arvian, his eyes filled with a strange, distant sadness.
"I'm Arvian Zapar," he continued. "I committed suicide."
The other Arvian's voice became bitter, and his eyes hardened. "Yes, I'm the one who was trapped in that weakling body."
With a look that was both regretful and profound, he turned back to face the enormous city in front of them. "The person who was consistently unable to overcome his own shortcomings and limitations."
His words seemed to be weighed down by the weight of a life that had been lived in silence, a life full of hardships that no one else could fully comprehend.
Arvian's heart was thumping in his chest as his bewilderment grew. "But how are you even alive? Why do you look like a strong man?" He spoke with a tone of incredulity.
For a moment Arvian stood in silence, stairing out over the city with unwavering eyes
"I'm surviving in another timeline," he finally said, his tone calm but filled with an unsettling truth. "A timeline where I was able to become this."
Once more, he turned to face Arvian, his eyes seeming to see right into his soul.
"And I know what you desire," he continued. "I know the power, the strength, the escape from this misery you're trapped in." He took a step closer, his voice lowering to a whisper.
"Maybe you can get that, if you do as I tell you."
Arvian's body froze in place as his breath caught in his throat. "How do I trust you?" he asked, his voice shaky, disbelief still clouding his mind.
The other Arvian smiled knowingly, a cold and unsettling grin. "You are Kaileo, right?" As his eyes pierced Arvian's soul, he spoke in a smooth, almost derisive tone.
A chill ran down Arvian's spine. "How do you know my name?" he demanded, his heart racing.
With a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes, the other Arvian's smile widened.
"Didn't I tell you? I know everything." He spoke with a spooky assurance, as if he had already witnessed the conclusion of this discussion and possibly all that came after.