Noah awoke slowly, the fog pressing against him like a living thing. The mist coiled around his body, cool and heavy, blurring the edges of his vision until the world shrank to only a few feet before him. Every step forward felt uncertain; sometimes the ground seemed to vanish beneath his feet, swallowed by the endless haze.
He had no idea where he was—until a soft, melodic voice cut through the white silence.
"Master…"
Noah froze. From the fog, a small figure emerged. She looked no older than ten, with long silver hair that shimmered faintly and eyes that glowed with an intelligence far beyond her years.
Still steadying his racing heart, Noah managed to speak. "Where… where am I?"
"You are in Aetherveil," the girl replied calmly, her gaze unwavering. "This world belongs to you, and I am here to assist you. My name is Zara. I am not merely a guide—I am the artifact you discovered. I chose you as my first and last host."
Noah's eyes widened. "You… you're the box? The item?"
Zara nodded. "Yes. When your blood touched me, I awakened. I pulled your soul into Aetherveil and forged a new body for you—nineteen years of age. I then brought you into a new world called Aldora. I also pushed your body into the Awakening Realm of cultivation."
The words hit him like thunder. "So… all this—the abilities, this place… it's all because of you?"
"Yes," Zara said softly. She floated closer, her form shimmering like liquid silver. "Here, you are as a god. You may create or destroy anything. You can summon people you know into this world—but only if you are present. If they are bound to you as partner, servant, or marked soul, you can even revive them. But know this: every action carries a cost. This realm runs on spiritual energy. To use it efficiently, you will need spiritual veins or energy-generating treasures. Right now, your strength is limited to the size of your own reservoir."
Noah closed his eyes and reached inward. To his shock, he felt it—energy alive and vibrant, flowing through him like a second pulse. But entwined with it was another presence: older, immeasurably stronger, radiating authority. He realized with awe that it was Zara herself—sentient, powerful, bound to his fate.
"You are within Aetherveil," Zara continued. "When you leave, you may go anywhere you wish—but only to places you have already visited. I transferred you to Aldora, so from here you may travel across that world freely. Your former world lies far beyond reach; to return there, Aetherveil must accumulate immense energy. Within Aldora, however, a single thought will take you to your chosen place. World-to-world travel, though… demands an ocean of energy."
Noah's heart quickened. "So… Aldora… another world."
"Yes. There is a city called Tharvane—a great commercial hub. Merchants, guilds, and traders from countless regions gather there. If you wish, I will send you to its outskirts."
"I want to go there. Now."
Zara nodded.
The fog began to unravel, dissolving like smoke in the wind. In the blink of an eye, Aetherveil vanished from his senses.
Noah now stood upon a small hill overlooking a vast, bustling city. Sunlight gleamed off its spires. Wagons rattled along cobbled roads, merchants shouted their wares, and the air was thick with the scent of food and exotic spices carried on the breeze.
For the first time, Noah set his eyes upon Aldora.
This was his true beginning—the first step into a new life, and the first stride of his journey.
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