Kazuki felt the wind whip past him, his body falling through endless sky. His mind barely processed what was happening—the rush of air, the way his stomach twisted from the sudden drop.
"W-what's happening?! Are we falling?!" he screamed, his voice barely audible over the roaring wind.
Lumi, freefalling beside him, simply grinned. "Yup! Isn't it fun?"
"FUN?! I'm about to die!" Kazuki's heart pounded in panic.
"Nah, you'll be fine! This place plays by different rules!" She spun in the air, arms outstretched like a kid on a roller coaster. "Just enjoy the view."
Despite the chaos in his mind, Kazuki glanced around—and what he saw left him speechless.
Massive, glowing trains floated in the sky, their tracks forming spirals that seemed to defy gravity. Upside-down cities hung in the clouds, their lights reflecting in the endless horizon. Rivers of light flowed through the air, twisting and turning like glowing ribbons. Far in the distance, something bright pulsed gently, casting an ethereal glow over the entire world.
"What... is this place?" Kazuki muttered, momentarily forgetting his fear.
"This," Lumi said with a flourish, "is Eidolon. A world where imagination is reality. Cool, right?"
Kazuki didn't respond. His eyes were locked on the surreal beauty around him, his mind struggling to comprehend it all. He felt like he had stepped into a dream—or maybe a fever-induced hallucination.
"Brace yourself!" Lumi called out. "We're about to land!"
"L-Land?! Where?!"
Before he could prepare himself, the wind slowed, and they gently floated down toward a sprawling city below. Kazuki expected to hit the ground with a bone-shattering crash, but instead, he landed as lightly as a feather.
He stumbled, catching his breath, his legs shaky from the experience.
"That... was the worst thing I've ever experienced," Kazuki gasped. "Don't ever do that again."
Lumi laughed, patting him on the back. "Oh, you'll get used to it. Falling from the sky is just the beginning!"
Kazuki glanced around at the strange city they had landed in. Buildings of all shapes and sizes stood side by side—some made of glass, others seemingly constructed from light itself. The streets twisted in impossible directions, looping into the sky and back down again. People moved freely through the air, walking on invisible paths or gliding on glowing platforms.
"Where... exactly are we?" Kazuki asked, still trying to make sense of everything.
"Eidolon's capital," Lumi said proudly. "The heart of this world. You'll be spending a lot of time here."
Kazuki's gaze drifted upward, where a giant golden sphere hung in the sky, glowing softly. It wasn't a sun—at least not in the way he knew one. The light seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once, casting a warm, gentle glow over the city.
"What's that?" Kazuki pointed at the glowing sphere.
Lumi tilted her head, her mischievous grin fading for just a second. "That? Oh, that's nothing to worry about... yet." She quickly changed the subject. "Come on! Let me show you around!"
Before Kazuki could ask anything more, Lumi grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
They walked—or rather floated—through the bustling streets. Every corner was filled with wonders: a marketplace selling glowing fruits that hummed softly, a group of musicians playing instruments made of starlight, and street performers bending reality itself to create dazzling illusions.
"See? I told you it's amazing!" Lumi said, spinning around with excitement.
"It's... definitely something." Kazuki still wasn't sure if he should be amazed or terrified.
"Oh, we're just getting started!" Lumi's eyes sparkled with excitement. "This place has secrets you wouldn't believe. And lucky for you, I'm the best guide in all of Eidolon!"
"I'll believe that when I see it," Kazuki muttered.
Lumi grinned, pointing ahead. "Then let's go see it!"
She took off running—well, floating—leaving Kazuki no choice but to follow.
Kazuki struggled to keep up with Lumi as she darted through the streets of Eidolon. Everything around him felt unreal, like a dream he couldn't wake from.
"Slow down!" he called out, dodging a floating vendor cart that suddenly zipped past him.
"No time to slow down!" Lumi called back, her voice full of laughter. "There's too much to see, and I want to show you everything!"
Kazuki reluctantly picked up his pace, following her through narrow alleyways that twisted and turned in ways that defied logic.
The city seemed alive, constantly shifting and rearranging itself. He passed a street that looped into the sky like a spiral staircase, another that split into two completely different directions without warning. People walked upside down above him, chatting as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Finally, Lumi stopped in front of a towering structure that shimmered like liquid glass.
"Here we are!" she said with a proud grin.
"Where exactly is 'here'?" Kazuki asked, catching his breath.
"The Crossroads," Lumi said, gesturing toward the building. "It's a little bit of everything—a meeting place, a marketplace, a place to rest. Think of it as a hub for all things Eidolon!"
Kazuki glanced around. Dozens of people milled about, each one more unique than the last. Some had glowing symbols floating above their heads, while others carried strange, futuristic tools or pets that looked like creatures straight out of a fantasy novel.
"Everyone here... are they like me?" Kazuki asked.
Lumi tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well... not exactly. Most of them are citizens of Eidolon. Born here, raised here. You, on the other hand... you're special."
Kazuki frowned. "Special how?"
Lumi winked. "That's for you to find out! But trust me, you'll like it."
Before Kazuki could press her for more information, Lumi grabbed his hand again and pulled him toward a stall selling brightly colored drinks that glowed in the dark.
"Thirsty? Try this! It's called a Starfruit Fizz." Lumi handed him a drink.
Kazuki eyed the glowing liquid suspiciously. "Is it... safe?"
"Of course it's safe! Well, mostly," Lumi said with a sly grin. "Come on, live a little."
Reluctantly, Kazuki took a sip. A burst of sweetness filled his mouth, followed by a fizzy sensation that felt like tiny stars popping on his tongue.
"Whoa... that's actually really good," he admitted.
"Told ya!" Lumi said, taking a long sip from her own drink.
They wandered through the Crossroads, Lumi pointing out various landmarks and explaining bits and pieces about Eidolon. Kazuki listened carefully, trying to piece everything together.
"So... if this place is so amazing, why did you bring me here?" he finally asked.
Lumi's playful grin softened into something more serious. "Because you needed it."
Kazuki blinked. "What do you mean?"
Lumi looked up at the sky, her eyes distant for a moment. "Everyone who comes to Eidolon has a reason for being here. Sometimes it's to escape, sometimes it's to find something they lost... and sometimes, it's because they've been chosen."
"Chosen for what?"
Her smile returned, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "You'll find out soon enough. But for now... just enjoy it."
Before Kazuki could ask more questions, Lumi turned and ran toward a glowing staircase that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
"Come on! There's one more place I want to show you before we call it a day!" she called over her shoulder.
Kazuki sighed, finishing the last of his drink before following her once again.
Kazuki trailed behind Lumi as she led him through a maze of vibrant streets, each corner revealing something more fascinating than the last. Floating lanterns danced in the air, casting a golden glow over the cobblestone paths, while musicians played strange instruments that produced sounds like waterfalls and starlight. It felt like walking through a dream.
"So... what's the deal with this place?" Kazuki finally asked. "You said something about me being 'special.' Mind explaining that?"
Lumi paused mid-step and glanced back at him, her eyes glinting mischievously. "You catch on quickly. Fine, I guess it's time for a little story."
She twirled once, her coat catching the wind as she leaned against a lamppost that seemed to hum softly. "Eidolon isn't just a place for anyone. It's a realm meant for those who are... chosen. People like you, Kazuki."
"Chosen for what?" Kazuki folded his arms, skeptical.
Lumi grinned. "To become a Trailblazer. You're one of the few who have the potential to shape this world, to leave your mark on it. Eidolon recognizes something in you—it sees what even you can't see in yourself."
"A Trailblazer...?" Kazuki repeated, the word unfamiliar but strangely powerful.
"Yep!" Lumi's voice softened. "It's not an easy path, though. Trailblazers face challenges that most people wouldn't even dare dream of. But with great risk comes great possibility."
Kazuki frowned, absorbing her words. "And what if I don't want to be one?"
"You don't have to decide right away," Lumi said with a wink. "Eidolon is patient. For now, just experience it. See what it has to offer."