In the boundless cosmos, two figures—one with black hair, the other with crimson—raced forward as if chasing after something elusive.
"Are you certain it's this way?"
"Without a doubt. Even if the signal was abruptly cut off, I can still sense it nearby."
After a brief flight, they reached a planet teeming with signs of life. The red-haired man fixed his gaze on it, frowning.
"Something's off… this planet isn't normal."
"Which means we've found the right place. A planet hiding something extraordinary would never appear ordinary."
Without hesitation, the black-haired youth dove straight toward the planet. His companion, though cautious, trusted his own strength and followed right behind.
The moment they pierced through its atmosphere, the world shifted. Space itself sealed around them, forming a barrier that cut them off from the outside.
Then, without warning, she appeared. A peerless beauty descended, her aura so overwhelming it was as if the heavens themselves bowed before her.
Her eyes, cold and merciless, locked onto the two intruders.
"Foolish beasts, daring to trespass into my domain. Since you've come here… you will never leave!"
As her words fell, a colossal hand blotted out the sky and came crashing down.
"Fight?"
"Fight! We've never known defeat!"
In unison, they unleashed their power. Three forces collided, unleashing a storm of destructive energy that cracked and shattered the very fabric of space.
…
On the peak of a snow-covered mountain, the thick blanket of white suddenly shifted as if something beneath it was alive.
A hand burst through the surface, clawing its way out. Something buried deep below was struggling to break free.
Before long, the figure emerged—a young man with blazing crimson hair.
Strangely, despite being entombed in freezing snow, his face was still flushed with life, his body completely unharmed as though nothing had happened.
He pushed himself free and sat down on the icy ground. One hand pressed against his forehead, his expression filled with confusion.
Where is this place? Why was I lying here?
The questions echoed endlessly in his mind, yet no one answered.
Helpless, he looked around, but the heavy snowfall smothered his vision.
All he could see was an endless sea of white. Even the sun's direction was impossible to discern.
Standing still was not an option. So, he chose a random direction and started walking.
But after some time, unease gnawed at him.
Am I… really walking straight?
He couldn't tell. The more he moved, the stronger the feeling grew that he was wandering in circles, lost within a boundless maze of snow.
He stomped the ground in frustration, then froze. Something beneath his feet felt different. It wasn't snow.
Bending down for a closer look, he caught a glimmer of gold. He brushed away the thin layer of snow and his eyes widened.
Hair? Out here? Could there really be someone buried beneath the snow? Were they even alive?
With a flicker of hope, he began digging frantically. The chances were slim, he knew, yet he still prayed that whoever it was had survived, just like him.
Bit by bit, the figure emerged. A young girl, or perhaps "girl" wasn't the right word. Her body was far too small compared to human children.
Her golden hair radiated a noble air. Her delicate features carried the promise of breathtaking beauty in the future.
She wore intricate garments, a blend of white and gold, with a small cloak trailing behind her. Clearly not ordinary, she could only be the daughter of nobility, perhaps even a princess.
Even stranger, her condition was almost identical to his. She looked as though she were merely asleep, utterly untouched by the freezing cold.
Then, without warning, her eyes opened. Deep black irises shimmered with starlight, as if the entire night sky were reflected within them.
She blinked those beautiful eyes at him once, then suddenly rose into the air. Her small frame circled around him effortlessly.
"Flying?!" He staggered back. "What the hell is this?!"
Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that a casual attempt to dig someone out would unearth such a bizarre existence. No matter how human she looked, he could no longer believe she was human at all.
"Were you the one who pulled me up? Who are you? And… why does my head hurt?"
She rubbed the top of her head while speaking.
…Wait. Isn't that exactly where I stepped on her?
He froze for a moment, guilt creeping in. Of course, he wouldn't admit it.
Right now, he needed a guide. Making her angry would only be a loss. Besides, two people searching together was better than wandering alone.
"I don't know. The moment I woke up, I was already here. What about you? Why are you in this place?"
Seeing that he knew nothing, the girl floated in front of him, hands on her hips, chin lifted proudly.
"You're in luck. I am Celie. I know plenty about this continent. With me around, leaving this place is as easy as a wave of the hand."
Perfect!
Looks like he'd found someone reliable.
Her arrogant posture didn't irritate him. In fact, it made him feel relieved. Someone that confident must know her way around.
"But you still haven't told me why you're here."
Celie drifted in circles, scratching her head as if searching her memory.
"Hmm… I think I was sleeping on a cloud, then I fell down… and since I was still sleepy, I just kept sleeping here. Probably that."
You've got to be kidding me. Falling from the clouds without a scratch, yet one step from me gives you a headache?
Though he didn't quite buy it, her innocent, starry eyes radiated such harmlessness that he couldn't feel threatened. He decided to accept the explanation.
"Fine. No need to overthink it. I'll trust you. Now, can you help me get out of here?"
Celie brightened immediately. She twirled in the air before plopping down on his shoulder, legs swinging, small fists raised high with glee.
"Of course! Celie likes you now. Celie will help you. But first... what's your name?"
My name? Do I even… have one?
The thought flickered across his mind. He couldn't remember a thing about himself, let alone a name.
"I don't have one. I don't even remember who I am or where I came from."
"Ah, what a pity. Celie doesn't remember where Celie came from either. But that's fine; Celie will give you a name. Let's call you Traveler."
As she spoke, she patted his head gently, almost as if comforting him.
"Haha, do as you like. Traveler works."
Having her by his side didn't feel so bad. After all, both of them were wanderers with no place to return to.