The cold air greeted Aveline as she was thrown from the portal. Her body hit the hard ground, her breath ragged as she tried to steady herself. The golden glow of the artifact she still held began to dim, leaving her surrounded by darkness.
The sky above was unlike anything she knew.
Deep blue stars spun in dizzying patterns, creating the illusion of a cosmic ocean. Glowing rings moved slowly among the stars, pulsing like the heartbeat of the universe. Beneath her, the ground felt like cracked volcanic rock, cold and unyielding, with ancient ruins towering around her.
Aveline wiped the blood from her forehead, struggling to comprehend what had just happened. "Where am I?" she whispered, her voice nearly swallowed by the silence.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed nearby.
A man emerged from behind the ruins. He was tall and broad, clad in black armor that reflected faint light. His disheveled black hair framed a face with piercing gray eyes that scrutinized Aveline sharply.
A massive sword rested on his back, and a glowing symbol on his chest marked him as no ordinary individual.
"Who are you?" he asked in a low, commanding voice.
Aveline stepped back, clutching the Prism tighter. "I… I'm just lost."
The man moved closer, his expression unchanging. "That artifact. Where did you get it?"
"None of your business!" Aveline shot back, though her body trembled with fear.
The man sighed quietly, as though addressing a stubborn child. "That Prism is a key. If you don't know how to use it, this place will kill you."
Before Aveline could respond, the ground began to tremble. In the distance, shadowy figures emerged, massive and menacing, their glowing red eyes and haunting roars filling the air.
"They're coming," the man said curtly, drawing his sword. He glanced at Aveline sharply. "If you want to live, follow me."
Aveline hesitated, but when one of the shadowy creatures roared, fear propelled her legs into motion. They ran together through the ruins, the sound of the creatures' pursuit growing louder.
"Run faster!" the man shouted.
Aveline gasped for air as they fled.
They reached the edge of a massive chasm. Aveline froze, staring into the endless abyss below.
"We can't jump!" she exclaimed.
The man looked at her patiently, then pointed at the Prism in her hand. "Use that."
"I don't know how!"
He stepped closer, gently taking her hand. "The Prism responds to your intent. Focus. Trust your heart and instincts."
His touch startled Aveline. Though his hands were rough, there was something in the way he held hers—a quiet assurance. For a moment, their eyes met, and she felt a flicker of warmth behind the cold steel of his gaze.
"Believe in yourself," he said again, softer this time.
Aveline closed her eyes, letting her fear fade. The Prism in her hand began to glow brightly, forming a bridge of blue energy across the chasm. The man gave a faint smile—barely noticeable—before pulling her across the bridge.
---
A Moment of Connection
After crossing the bridge, Aveline collapsed to the ground, exhausted. The man knelt in front of her, looking at her intently.
"You're stronger than you think and tougher than you imagine," he said.
Aveline lifted her head, meeting his gaze. "You talk like you know everything about me."
"I know more than you realize," he replied, his tone slightly softer. "My name is Kael."
"Aveline," she responded quietly, holding his gaze.
For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade. There was something in the way Kael looked at her a mix of admiration and guilt she couldn't understand.
But the moment was broken by the sound of the shadowy creatures once again. Kael stood and offered his hand. "We need to move."
Aveline grasped his hand, feeling a bit more confident. Together, they ran further into the unknown, the shadows chasing close behind.