I woke up to the teacher's voice calling me sharply:
"Arian… wake up! Get ready, we're starting our journey to the first kingdom!"
I looked at him, surprised, and asked,
"Which kingdom are we going to?"
He smiled and said,
"The Kingdom of Alpha."
I said, "But… I don't know what they look like."
He looked at me and said, "Focus with me."
Suddenly, the teacher transformed into a form almost human, yet far more elegant and beautiful, with long ears… but there was something strange that set him apart from ordinary humans.
I was lost in staring at him, but he broke my trance and said,
"Focus with me and try to transform into the same character I have."
I concentrated with all my strength, and suddenly I felt a strange energy… and I transformed into a genie resembling the teacher.
He smiled and said,
"Perfect. That was the first step. The second step… you need a name."
I said, "I… I can't think of a name right now."
He smiled and said, "Your name in the Kingdom of Alpha will be Kailan."
I said, "The name is nice!"
He smiled and said, "Come on, the journey ahead is long."
But suddenly he added in a sad voice,
"There's a problem… I won't be able to come with you. This is your destiny; no one can change it."
I panicked and said, "How? I don't know the path or anything about this world!"
He looked at me calmly and said,
"Don't worry… I've accounted for everything."
He approached and placed his finger on my head… and suddenly an enormous amount of knowledge poured into my mind. I felt as if I had been born here. I understood all the kingdoms of the world, their number, and how to reach each one.
He said,
"As soon as you reach the Kingdom of Alpha, go to Aurax Academy and deliver this message to the headmaster. He will guide you through the necessary training."
Then he took two papers from his pocket and said,
"These are the two strongest techniques in mental power. Train on them along the way; you have three days before reaching the kingdom."
He handed me a bag with food and said,
"Go ahead, start walking."
I left the cave not knowing what to do, but thankfully, I carried all the memories of this world and the path ahead. I began walking… and suddenly, the cave behind me vanished, and I found myself in a scorching desert. The sun burned my back, and the wind whipped the sand, making every step heavy with exhaustion and fear.
I heard a roar, like that of a lion shaking the ground… I froze, realizing the massive creature Zaraj was ahead. It was enormous, its black skin glistening like night, eyes glowing blood-red. Its long claws tore through the earth, and it let out a roar that sounded almost like human screams of pain. The stench of decay hung around it, and every breath it exhaled made the ground tremble.
I opened my bag quickly and found a sword. I grabbed it and began thinking of a plan. My fear and shock threatened to paralyze me, but I forced myself to act. Suddenly, I remembered its weak spot beneath the neck. I ran toward it and struck… it fell dead to the ground, letting out a final, chilling roar. I thanked God I survived, yet my body shook, and my heart pounded with lingering fear.
I sat to catch my breath and continued walking through the desert… eating some of my provisions along the way. Eventually, I reached the edge of a forest. Night was falling, and the eerie sounds of the forest seemed to warn me of the dangers ahead. I decided not to enter the forest that night.
I prepared a place to sleep, checked for predators, and lit a fire. I roasted my meat and thought about my memories: I had always dreamed of a simple life, a wide house, green land, children, farming… but after coming here, I realized my mission was bigger… my mission was to save the whole world. A heavy feeling of responsibility pressed down on me, yet my determination burned stronger than ever.
The smell of smoke snapped me back. I quickly ate the safe parts of my meal and finally succumbed to sleep, preparing myself for the adventures of the coming day, my heart heavy with fear and sadness for all I had left behind, yet resolute in my purpose.