The room was dim, lit only by the pale glow of Kael Jasvyn's phone screen. He lay on his bed, scrolling mindlessly through social media, the weight of his boredom pressing down on him like a physical force. Outside, the city buzzed with life—cars honked, people laughed, and the world moved on without him. But inside, Kael felt like he was trapped in a cage of his own making.

"Another wasted day," he muttered, tossing his phone onto the bed. He stared at the ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn't silence. *Why does everything feel so meaningless?* He had everything—good grades, a loving family, a comfortable life—but it all felt hollow. He wanted more. He wanted *freedom.*

Kael sat up, running a hand through his messy hair. His eyes fell on the stack of textbooks gathering dust on his desk. Exams were coming up, but he couldn't bring himself to care. He'd spent the last two years in lockdown, his confidence and social skills eroding like sand in a storm. Now, even the simplest tasks felt insurmountable.

"I'm better than this," he whispered, clenching his fists. But the words rang hollow. He'd told himself the same thing a thousand times before, yet here he was, still stuck in the same cycle of laziness and regret.

His gaze drifted to the small, black chain on his nightstand. It was an odd trinket, something he'd found in his grandfather's old belongings. The chain was cold to the touch, its surface etched with strange, runic symbols. Kael had always been drawn to it, though he couldn't explain why. Tonight, it seemed to call to him.

He picked it up, the metal icy against his skin. As he turned it over in his hands, the runes began to glow faintly. Kael frowned. "What the—"

Before he could finish, the room was engulfed in a blinding light. The air around him crackled with energy, and he felt himself being pulled into a vortex of darkness. He tried to scream, but no sound came out. The world twisted and warped around him, and then—nothing.

---

When Kael opened his eyes, he was no longer in his room. He was lying on cracked, barren earth beneath a blood-red sky. The air was thick with the scent of ash and decay, and the ground trembled faintly beneath him. In the distance, jagged mountains loomed like the teeth of some great beast.

"Where… am I?" he whispered, his voice trembling. He pushed himself to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest. This wasn't his city. This wasn't even his world.

A low growl echoed through the wasteland. Kael turned, his blood running cold as a monstrous creature emerged from the shadows. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen—a hulking beast with glowing red eyes and skin like molten lava. Its jaws dripped with saliva, and its claws gleamed like daggers.

Kael stumbled backward, his mind racing. *This can't be real. This has to be a dream.* But the creature's roar was all too real, shaking the ground beneath his feet.

He turned to run, but his legs refused to move. Fear paralyzed him, rooting him to the spot. The creature lunged, its claws slashing through the air. Kael raised his arms instinctively, bracing for the impact.

But the blow never came.

Instead, a surge of energy erupted from within him. The black chain around his wrist glowed brightly, and a wave of darkness exploded outward, slamming into the creature and sending it flying. Kael stared at his hands, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "What… what just happened?"

The creature roared again, struggling to its feet. Kael's mind raced. He didn't understand what was happening, but he knew one thing: if he didn't fight, he would die.

He clenched his fists, feeling the power coursing through him. The chain's whispers filled his mind, urging him to embrace the darkness. For the first time in his life, Kael felt alive. He wasn't just a bored teenager anymore. He was something more.

As the creature charged, Kael met its gaze, a fierce determination burning in his eyes. "Bring it on."

---

The battle was brutal. Kael's movements were clumsy and unrefined, but the power within him guided him, lending him strength and speed he didn't know he had. When the creature finally fell, its body dissolving into ash, Kael collapsed to his knees, exhausted but exhilarated.

"I did it," he whispered, a grin spreading across his face. For the first time, he felt like he was in control of his life.

But his victory was short-lived. A shadowy figure emerged from the wasteland, their face obscured by a hood. "Impressive," they said, their voice cold and calculating. "But you've only taken the first step. If you want to survive in this world, you'll need my help."

Kael narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"

The figure smiled faintly. "Call me a guide. But be warned—nothing in this world comes without a price."