---
They moved.
The ground shifted beneath their feet—not unstable, but soft.
Like stepping on packed clouds.
Sally frowned, glancing down as her foot pressed into the strange terrain. It gave slightly, then settled back like memory foam.
She resisted the urge to step harder, just to see what would happen.
The further they went, the more alien the world became.
Above them, a river twisted through the air—not falling, not held up by anything. Just… flowing. Like gravity had decided it didn't apply.
The plants glowed—soft blues, deep purples. Some had long, curling petals that shifted when they walked by—like they were watching.
Sally crossed her arms tightly.
---
SALLY (muttering to herself)
"This place.. it doesn't make any sense. "
---
Harry looked at her.
He was tense—his mind racing and observing.
Every step, every detail, he cataloged.
The way the air moved differently here.
The faint hum in the ground beneath them.
The way the plants responded to them, as if aware.
He was memorizing it all.
Aurora, on the other hand, had no such thoughts.
She was gripping Finn's sleeve, vibrating with excitement.
Finn, naturally, was equally fascinated—and equally chaotic.
---
AURORA (whispering, eyes shining)
"Finn. Finn, look."
---
She gestured wildly to a tree **that had no trunk—**just twisting, floating branches held together by soft golden light.
Finn nodded, equally awed.
---
FINN (whispering back, serious tone)
"That's illegal."
---
Aurora nodded gravely.
---
AURORA (whispering back, nodding)
"Someone should arrest it."
---
They stared at the tree for a long moment.
Then—Finn turned to King.
---
FINN (innocently)
"King. Arrest that tree."
---
King sighed deeply.
---
KING (deadpan, exhausted already)
"I am not arresting a tree, Finn."
---
Finn snapped his fingers in fake disappointment.
---
FINN (dramatic sigh)
"Darn. It almost worked."
---
Aurora patted his arm.
---
AURORA (solemnly)
"We'll get 'em next time."
---
John, who had been actually trying to focus, pinched the bridge of his nose.
He turned to Sally, his last hope for sanity.
She was staring blankly at the floating river, dead inside.
John sighed.
They were hopeless.
---
[The First Test]
Then—Vey halted.
The group stopped behind him.
Ahead—a divide in the terrain.
Not deep, but wide. A dark, open gap stretching at least ten feet across.
Vey turned to face them.
His expression was blank.
---
VEY (calm, expectant)
"Cross it."
---
Finn blinked.
---
FINN (pointing)
"You mean the giant gap in the ground?"
---
Vey nodded once.
Finn laughed awkwardly.
---
FINN (nervous chuckle)
"Right, sure, okay, let me just fly across—"
---
Vey interrupted.
---
VEY (flatly)
"You can."
---
Silence.
The group stared.
Then—Harry stepped forward.
His eyes flickered with realization.
---
HARRY (quietly, thinking aloud)
"…The gravity is lighter here."
---
Vey nodded.
John understood now.
He took a **step back—**then jumped.
And—
He soared.
Not far, not uncontrollable. But higher, slower.
Like the air caught him.
He landed smoothly on the other side.
The group stared.
John grinned.
---
JOHN (calling back)
"It's easy. Just trust it."
---
Aurora lit up.
---
AURORA (excited, gripping Finn's sleeve)
"Oh, this is so cool!"
---
Finn grinned back.
---
FINN (laughing, preparing to jump)
"Alright, now I'm interested!"
---
One by one, they jumped.
One by one, they crossed.
Then—Jake.
The last one left.
He hesitated.
Vey watched him.
Jake scowled.
Then—he jumped.
He landed roughly, stumbling—
Finn caught him.
---
FINN (smirking)
"See? Easy."
---
Jake unable to cope with this.
---
JAKE (grumbling, dusting himself off)
"Gimme me a break."
---
Vey turned without a word.
Continued walking.
The group followed, but John stayed near the back.
Something felt different now.
This wasn't just a test of movement.
It was a test of trust.
Vey wanted to see if they'd listen.
John didn't like that.
But he kept moving.
Because right now—there was no other choice.
---
They walked and walked.
The land stretching endlessly before them—glowing, shifting, alive.
Vey led the way, hands tucked behind his back, posture relaxed.
The group kept their distance.
Because for all his calmness—he was an enigma.
And then—he spoke.
---
VEY (musing, not even looking back)
"You're an interesting bunch."
---
The group stiffened slightly.
Vey tilted his head slightly, amused.
---
VEY (counting on his fingers, casually)
"Let's see… The brooding leader, the loud idiot, the even louder idiot, the serious one, the little genius, the sarcastic one, and…"
(He glanced at Sally, smirking slightly.)
"…The one who'd definitely punch me first."
---
Sally raised an eyebrow.
---
SALLY (deadpan)
"I like how you already know that."
---
Vey grinned.
---
VEY (shrugging)
"It's a talent."
---
John exhaled sharply.
---
JOHN (dryly, arms crossed)
"And which one are you?"
---
Vey spun on his heel, walking backward.
---
VEY (grinning, dramatically bowing)
"Why, the charming, mysterious guide, of course."
---
Finn snorted.
---
FINN (grinning, nudging Aurora)
"Pfft. More like the 'vaguely suspicious weirdo.'"
---
Vey pointed at him.
---
VEY (mock serious)
"And you—The lovable idiot. The one who'd absolutely run straight into danger with a smile."
---
Aurora laughed.
---
AURORA (smirking, crossing her arms)
"Hey, at least you got 'lovable' right."
---
Vey tilted his head.
Then—grinned.
---
VEY (thoughtful, glancing between them)
"Huh. So it is mutual."
---
Aurora froze.
Finn blinked.
Sally immediately burst out laughing.
---
SALLY (mock gasping)
"Oh wow. That was fast."
---
Jake covered his mouth, trying to hold back a smirk.
Finn turned red.
Aurora crossed her arms tighter.
---
AURORA (huffing, looking away)
"I'm ignoring this conversation."
---
Vey grinned wider.
---
VEY (mock innocent, shrugging)
"I was just observing. You're both very obvious."
---
Finn grumbled under his breath.
---
FINN (muttering, rubbing his neck)
"I hate this guy."
---
Vey turned his attention elsewhere.
---
VEY (eyeing King, intrigued)
"And you—you're the 'reliable one,' aren't you?"
---
King raised an eyebrow.
---
KING (calm, unimpressed)
"That supposed to mean something?"
---
Vey smirked.
---
VEY (tilting his head)
"It means everyone here has a mess to clean up, and you're the one who sighs and does it."
---
Aurora and Finn slowly turned to King.
Aurora grinned.
---
AURORA (playfully, smirking)
"Hey, he does get us out of situations a lot."
---
FINN (mock dramatic, to King)
"Our unofficial babysitter!"
---
King sighed heavily.
---
KING (grumbling, pinching the bridge of his nose)
"Why do I even hang out with you people."
---
Jake chuckled.
Then—Vey turned his gaze to him.
---
VEY (intrigued, watching Jake carefully)
"And you… Hmm."
---
Jake narrowed his eyes.
---
JAKE (flatly)
"What?"
---
Vey tilted his head.
Then—he smirked.
---
VEY (mock thoughtful)
"You're the wild card. The one who doesn't listen."
---
Jake scoffed.
---
JAKE (crossing his arms)
"Wow. Incredible observation."
---
Vey just smiled knowingly.
Something about the way he watched Jake—too knowing, too amused.
But he didn't push it.
Instead, he turned to Harry.
The only one who hadn't reacted.
---
VEY (smirking slightly)
"And you—you already figured something out, didn't you?"
---
Harry glanced up.
His expression was unreadable.
Then—he spoke.
---
HARRY (calm, quiet, direct)
"You're not human."
---
The group froze.
Finn blinked.
---
FINN (slowly, looking between them)
"Uh. What."
---
Vey grinned.
Not denying it.
Just watching their reactions.
John tensed slightly.
---
JOHN (calm, careful)
"What does he mean?"
---
Vey rolled his shoulders, stretching slightly.
---
VEY (calm, easygoing)
"I mean, does it matter?"
---
Jake stiffened.
---
JAKE (gritted teeth, glaring)
"Yeah. It kinda does."
---
Vey shrugged.
---
VEY (smirking slightly)
"Relax. I just made myself look like this."
(He gestured at himself, casual.)
"Figured it'd be less confusing than… the alternative."
---
Sally exhaled sharply.
---
SALLY (muttering, rubbing her temples)
"Great. So now we have to deal with a guy who just—shapeshifts, apparently."
---
Harry, meanwhile, was still watching Vey carefully.
---
HARRY (calm, thinking aloud)
"Which means the real question isn't what you are."
(His gaze narrowed slightly.)
"It's why you thought you had to hide it."
---
Vey smiled.
Not mocking.
Not nervous.
Just watching.
Then—he turned.
And kept walking.
---
VEY (casually, over his shoulder)
"You're asking the right questions now."
---
John exhaled slowly.
He didn't like this.
But they had to keep moving.
And so—they followed.
Not realizing how much stranger things were about to get.
---
The path stretched long and endless.
Or at least, it felt endless.
The strange glowing moss had faded beneath their feet, replaced by smooth, dark stone that pulsed faintly—like it was alive. The sky above had shifted from its endless golden glow to something cooler, dimmer, uncertain.
The group walked in mostly comfortable silence.
Mostly.
---
FINN (grinning, hands behind his head)
"Sooo. If I were to say, hypothetically, that I was the best-looking member of this team—"
---
Aurora sighed deeply.
---
AURORA (flat, deadpan)
"Hypothetically, I'd be moving to a new group."
---
FINN (mock gasp, clutching his chest)
"Betrayal. Pain. heart—shattered beyond repair."
---
Jake rolled his eyes.
---
JAKE (grumbling)
"If only."
---
Finn grinned at him.
---
FINN (mock sympathy)
"Jealousy isn't a good look on you, Jakey."
---
Jake moved to shove him, but Finn expertly dodged— only to bump into Harry, who had been deep in thought.
Harry stumbled slightly, blinking.
---
HARRY (flat, adjusting his glasses)
"Right. Let's make sure Finn's the first casualty of this adventure."
---
FINN (grinning, unbothered)
"Aw, Harry, you do care."
---
Harry exhaled sharply, but there was a slight twitch to his lips.
Aurora nudged Finn's side.
---
AURORA (smirking, whispering)
"That means he likes you."
---
Finn grinned even wider.
---
FINN (turning back to Harry, dramatically placing a hand on his shoulder)
"You know what, Harry? I accept your love."
---
Harry tilted his head.
---
HARRY (calm, expression unreadable)
"I'll leave you in a ditch."
---
Aurora gasped, pretending to be horrified.
---
AURORA (mock concern, grabbing Finn's arm)
"Harry, please! Not the ditch!"
---
King, **who had been watching all of this unfold with quiet amusement, sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
---
KING (muttering to John)
"We should've left them back at the river."
---
John, who was absolutely entertained but refused to show it, nodded solemnly.
---
JOHN (serious, straight-faced)
"A tragic mistake on our part."
---
Finn and Aurora both gasped dramatically, clutching at their hearts.
---
FINN (mock wounded)
"You wound me, dear John."
---
AURORA (grinning, playing along)
"Right? After everything we've been through together."
---
John just kept walking.
Jake shook his head, but couldn't hold back a smile peeking out from his face.
Because, annoying or not, Finn and Aurora's antics were part of them.
And truthfully? No one would trade it for anything.
---
The air shifted.
It wasn't immediate.
It wasn't drastic.
But John felt it first.
That small change. That slight unease.
Like the land itself had grown quieter.
His footsteps slowed.
Sally, walking beside him, noticed immediately.
---
SALLY (quiet, questioning)
"What?"
---
John didn't answer right away.
He just… looked ahead.
And then—
He saw it.
Far. Distant.
A shape on the horizon.
Not a ruin. Not a mountain.
Something… structured.
His breath hitched.
And—one by one—the others followed his gaze.
No one said anything for a long moment.
Because… what was that?
It was vague. Far.
But undeniable.
A place.
A city.
Or at least, something like it.
Vey, who had been leading them without a word, suddenly stopped.
He turned—expression unreadable.
And, for the first time—his voice carried weight.
---
VEY (calm, but firm)
"Don't stop."
---
John's chest tightened.
Because—why did he sound like that?
Why did he look like that?
And most importantly—
Why did he not want them to stop and stare?
---
They kept walking.
Not because they wanted to.
But because something in Vey's voice made them.
John's fingers twitched slightly.
Something about this didn't sit right.
Vey hadn't reacted to anything before.
Not the landscape.
Not their conversations.
Not the weirdness of the world itself.
But this?
This made him react.
Aurora exhaled softly.
---
AURORA (whispering to Finn, uneasy)
"Doesn't this feel… different than before?"
---
Finn, even tho he had something dumb to say, just nodded.
Because yeah.
It did.
Sally, who was watching Vey closely, finally spoke up.
---
SALLY (low, skeptical)
"You got real tense all of a sudden."
---
Vey didn't turn.
Didn't acknowledge it.
Just… kept walking.
John's jaw tightened.
He had been watching him too.
And there was something…
Something about the way Vey's shoulders stiffened ever so slightly.
Like he was trying to mask something.
And then—a realization hit him.
This wasn't fear.
No.
This was avoidance.
Vey wasn't afraid of that city.
He just didn't want to talk about it.
---
The ground beneath them was still soft, pulsing faintly like a living thing.
The sky above still shifted in slow, mesmerizing waves.
But something about the air…
Felt heavier.
Like they had crossed into something else.
The group didn't notice it right away.
They were distracted.
Because somehow—Finn had started a new argument.
And it had nothing to do with survival.
---
FINN (grinning, pointing at Jake)
"Okay, but hypothetically—who do you guys think would win in a fight? Me, or Jakey?"
---
Jake groaned.
---
JAKE (exasperated, running a hand down his face)
"Why. Why is this even a discussion."
---
Aurora perked up immediately.
---
AURORA (grinning, dramatically thinking it over)
"Ooooh, interesting. Finn has speed, but Jake has anger."
---
Finn gasped, offended.
---
FINN (mock-offended, clutching his chest)
"Wow. So I'm just speed to you?"
---
AURORA (smug, nudging him)
"And a little dumb at times, but yeah."
---
Finn snorted.
Jake rolled his eyes.
John sighed, but the corner of his mouth twitched.
---
JOHN (dry, amused)
"Let's be real—Sally would wipe the floor with both of you."
---
Sally grinned.
---
SALLY (mock-thoughtful, cracking her knuckles)
"Hmm. A solid fact."
---
King shook his head, smirking slightly.
Harry exhaled sharply, flipping a page in his notebook.
---
HARRY (muttering, unimpressed)
"We're in an unknown world, and you idiots are debating fantasy wrestling matches."
---
FINN (grinning, pointing at Harry)
"Ooooh, big words from the guy who literally tripped over a rock earlier."
---
Aurora snorted.
Harry slowly looked up, deadpan.
---
HARRY (flat, emotionless)
"I will throw you into the sky."
---
Finn smirked.
---
FINN (mock-daring, spreading his arms)
"Do it. I dare you."
---
Harry sighed.
Sally was barely holding in laughter.
And for a while, the group just kept walking—bickering, teasing, letting the moment feel light.
---
[The First Glimpse]
The shift happened slowly.
First, the air.
Then, the light.
It dimmed just slightly, like the sky was adjusting.
Then—the sound.
Or rather—the lack of it.
The faint hum that had followed them since they landed—the subtle, ever-present whisper of the land itself—
Was gone.
John was the first to notice.
His steps slowed.
His brow furrowed.
Something was… off.
---
JOHN (low, cautious)
"Wait."
---
The others stopped.
Aurora and Finn, still mid-banter, finally looked up.
Sally's arms crossed, tense.
---
SALLY (frowning, looking forward)
"…What is that?"
---
Far ahead.
Just barely visible through the strange, shifting mist—
A shape.
A structure.
Not natural.
Not alive.
Something built.
John's chest tightened.
His voice was quiet. Steady.
---
JOHN (low, controlled)
"We're close."
---
The group followed his gaze.
They squinted, straining to see through the haze.
Aurora shivered.
Finn tilted his head.
---
FINN (softly, curious but uneasy)
"Thats… a weird looking city."
---
John thought the same.
Vague stone shapes, barely defined—like ruins stuck between worlds.
Sally exhaled sharply.
---
SALLY (gritted teeth, uneasy)
"…I don't like this."
---
John didn't either.
He turned—to Vey.
But—
Vey wasn't looking at them.
He was staring at the city.
His posture had shifted.
His usually unreadable expression was tight.
Almost like he wasn't sure whether to keep going.
John's heartbeat picked up.
---
JOHN (low, careful)
"Vey."
---
Vey blinked.
The moment was so brief, so fleeting, John almost thought he imagined it.
Then—Vey turned to face them again.
Expression neutral. Blank.
Like it was never there.
---
VEY (calm, steady, unreadable)
"We should keep moving."
---
John's fingers twitched.
Something was wrong.
But for now—
There was nothing else to do.
So he swallowed his unease—
And kept moving.
---
The group moved forward.
Step by step.
The city-like shape loomed closer.
Still vague. Still shrouded.
The air felt heavier.
Like something was pressing in.
Then—
John heard it.
Not from the city.
Not from ahead.
But from behind.
A whisper of movement.
The whisper of movement wasn't loud. It wasn't sudden. But it was enough.
John froze.
The others felt it too.
A presence. Watching.
Aurora's fingers clenched around Finn's sleeve. Jake's stance shifted, weight on the balls of his feet, ready.
The air was thick. Heavy.
Then—they emerged.
Figures stepped from the mist, moving as one.
Dark, flowing garments. Smooth metallic masks, featureless and eerie, reflecting the shifting sky above them.
Several of them.
They did not attack. They did not speak.
They only watched.
John swallowed.
Something about them felt… inevitable.
FINN (whispering, uneasy)
"Uh. Not to alarm anyone, but I think we've been noticed."
No one answered.
Vey, who had been leading them so casually before, finally turned.
Slowly.
Like he had been expecting this.
Like this moment was just another step in a path he already knew.
VEY (calm, unreadable)
"Well. That didn't take long."
John's stomach twisted.
He looked at Vey—really looked at him.
And he realized something.
Vey wasn't surprised.
Not at all.
Jake noticed too.
His jaw clenched.
JAKE (low, sharp)
"You knew."
Vey didn't deny it.
But he didn't confirm it either.
He only smiled.
small and unreadable.
The lead figure stepped forward.
Tall. Straight-backed. A silent command in their presence.
Their mask turned toward Vey first.
Then—toward John.
And when they spoke, their voice was smooth. Measured. Heavy.
---
???: (calm, deliberate)
"You are not from here."
John felt the weight of their stare, even through the mask.
He squared his shoulders.
JOHN (steady, careful)
"We didn't come here looking for trouble."
A pause.
The Watchers exchanged glances—silent, unreadable communication.
Then—
???: (firm, studying them)
"Then why are you here?"
John hesitated.
How could he even explain?
He glanced at the others.
Aurora, tensed but steady. Finn, trying not to fidget. Sally, scanning for exits. King, unreadable but ready.
Then—his eyes flicked to Vey.
Still calm. Still not worried.
Something about that made John's chest tighten.
JOHN (measured, slow)
"We're merely travelers."
JAKE (gritted teeth, backing him up)
"Just passing through."
The lead Watcher tilted their head slightly.
They did not look convinced.
???: (quiet, firm)
"No one just 'passes through' this place."
Sally exhaled sharply.
SALLY (nervous, muttering)
"You're sure about that?"
Harry, who had been silent, spoke.
HARRY (calm, analytical)
"You already knew we were coming here, didn't you?"
The lead figure did not react.
But their silence was an answer in itself.
John's pulse quickened.
Something was very wrong.
Aurora (low, suspicious)
"…What do you want from us?"
The lead Watcher lifted a hand.
A small, deliberate motion.
And all at once, the others stepped forward.
Not rushing. Not attacking.
Just… closing in.
John's breath hitched.
JAKE (tense, fists clenching)
"No. Absolutely not."
Aurora shifted, feet planted, ready to fight.
Finn took a step back on instinct.
Sally muttered a curse.
King, debating whether he could take them out or not.
Then—Vey sighed.
Loudly.
Dramatically.
VEY (exasperated, shaking his head)
"Oh, come now. We really don't have to go through this whole 'resisting arrest' routine."
Jake snapped toward him.
JAKE (sharp, accusing)
"You're way too calm about this."
Vey just grinned.
VEY (light, casual)
"I'm just saying. I've seen how these things play out."
(He gestures vaguely to the Watchers.)
"And spoiler alert—you lose."
Jake's glare darkened.
Aurora stepped closer to John, voice low.
AURORA (whispering, uneasy)
"He's not fighting this."
John exhaled slowly.
Neither should they.
Not yet.
He looked at the Watchers again.
Their posture. Their lack of hostility.
They didn't want to hurt them.
But they weren't leaving room for negotiation either.
John hated it.
Hated the feeling of being so powerless.
But right now—there was no other choice.
He nodded.
A single, reluctant motion.
JOHN (low, steady)
"We'll have to cooperate."
Jake tensed beside him.
JAKE (gritted teeth, whispering)
"You sure about this?"
John looked at him—then turned to the lead Watcher.
JOHN (firm, unreadable)
"Where are you taking us?"
A pause.
Then—
???: (calm, but absolute)
"You will see."
John exhaled through his nose.
Fine.
But he was going to remember every detail.
Because if this went south—
He would not let his people go down without a fight.
Then—
One of the Watchers stepped forward, retrieving something from their sleeve.
Smooth, metallic cuffs.
John stiffened.
Jake muttered something sharp under his breath.
Aurora scowled.
Finn grimaced.
FINN (muttering, uneasy)
"Really? We're really doing this?"
Sally's jaw tightened.
SALLY (gritted teeth, deadpan)
"Guess we are."
One by one, the cuffs were placed on their wrists.
They weren't tight.
But they were firm.
And without another word—
The Watchers turned.
And the group was led forward.
Through the mist.
Toward something unseen.
Something waiting.
---
[TO BE CONTINUED IN VOL 2]