A soft white mist caressed every corner of the almost untouched world. Clouds gathered slowly, forming invisible pathways in the air, as if the earth itself was no longer needed. In the distance, the faint sound of trickling water echoed like a celestial song. Everything was so calm, so peaceful, almost too perfect to be real.
Amid the sea of white light, a woman stood gracefully. Her transparent white gown shimmered like a lake under the moonlight. Her long hair flowed freely, her almond-shaped eyes fluttering like they could lull thousands of souls to sleep. She didn't move, she just watched. Waiting.
Nathan opened his eyes slowly. His vision was still blurry. He was gasping, unsure whether he was alive or trapped in a dream. He looked around. The sky felt close. Clouds brushed against his skin. The air he breathed seemed weightless. He scanned the surroundings and noticed a young man sleeping beside him. His face looked Asian, like him. Perhaps Vietnamese.
Nathan blinked several times. Am I dreaming? he thought.
The young man stirred suddenly. He groaned softly and started to open his eyes. "Where am I…?" he murmured.
Nathan didn't answer right away. He was frozen, caught between panic and awe. The young man's gaze shifted to him. "I'm Adam," he said in a rising tone. "Adam Velcroft. A wizard of the Kingdom of Elberia."
Nathan stayed silent. Is this guy crazy? Magic? he wondered.
Adam raised an eyebrow, looking at Nathan's clothes from head to toe. "What are you wearing?" he asked innocently. "That's… strange."
Nathan jumped. "Hey! This is a Gucci limited edition hoodie, okay?! Meanwhile, your outfit looks like it came straight from a medieval movie. Seriously outdated!"
Adam paused, then laughed. A crisp, genuine laugh, like someone hearing a joke for the first time even if they didn't quite understand it. Nathan's heart skipped. A strange warmth crept up his face. What is happening… why do I feel this way? I've never felt this with Julian, he thought, staring at Adam. Something about him was unsettling yet calming.
Adam noticed. "Why are you staring at me like that?" he asked suspiciously.
Nathan quickly turned away but blurted out, "I like you."
Adam's eyes widened. "You… what?"
Nathan turned back fast. "I LIKE YOU!" he shouted reflexively.
Oh no, why did I say that?! Why did I say what I was thinking?! he panicked, covering his mouth.
"You speak honestly because this place… is a place of truth," a voice echoed, elegant and alluring. Nathan searched for the source.
Suddenly, from the sky, the clouds formed a staircase. From above descended a graceful woman in a shimmering transparent white gown. Her face glowed like the moon.
"AWWW!!! YOU TWO ARE TOGETHER!!" she exclaimed, spinning around in joy. Adam stepped back.
"I don't know this man!" he yelled.
Nathan was confused. "What is happening here?!"
The woman floated gently before them. "I am Hestia, Goddess of Life. Adam, I've always watched over you from afar. You've prayed to me sincerely. I am grateful to meet such a handsome young man like you. But… honestly…" Hestia winked teasingly at Nathan. "You are more suited for this guy."
Adam tensed. "Suited? Between two guys?! You must be a fake goddess!" He quickly raised his hand, shouting, "Sorphenal!" Jagged stones flew from the air toward Hestia.
But the goddess only chuckled softly. "Too bad. That's my own spell."
The flying stones transformed into rose petals, falling gently to the ground. "You like magic, don't you?" Hestia asked Adam, her smile mischievous. Adam's body twitched. He tried to raise his hands again to cast a spell, but nothing happened.
"Wait… you can really do magic?" Nathan asked, stepping closer curiously.
"I told you already. I am a wizard of the Kingdom of Elberia. And stop that disgusting stare," Adam said.
Nathan went silent, eyes softening. He lowered his gaze. "Sorry…"
Hestia tutted. "Such a mouth."
She waved her hand toward Adam, and suddenly his voice disappeared. His lips moved, but no sound came out.
"If you can't keep your mouth shut, don't bother speaking," Hestia said, stroking Nathan's hair like a kitten. "Right?"
Nathan sighed. "But… why am I trapped here? Where exactly am I?"
Hestia smiled softly, bowing slightly. "Do you want to know…?"
Nathan nodded slowly.
Hestia ran her fingers through Nathan's hair again and said, "You must be strong." The clouds shifted, opening a view down to Earth, revealing the moment Nathan and Adam ended up here.
The Butcher Café, Los Angeles, USA.
City lights glimmered on wet streets after a drizzle. In a small corner of Los Angeles, a modest café welcomed its guests warmly. Inside, conversations were soft, a calm refuge.
Nathan leaned back, staring blankly at his half-full glass of wine. Across from him, Julian swirled his whisky on the rocks.
Nathan had just shared his story of sudden job transfer, the pressures he faced, and how his ideals were slowly eroding. Julian sighed and gently took Nathan's hand over the table. "Stay strong. You're not alone."
Nathan looked into his eyes, smiling bitterly. "If only I had more power… magic. I wish I could prove the truth in a way that can't be denied. Or… eliminate evil with a single swing of a wand. Maybe then the world would be fairer."
Julian shook his head. "Don't say that. Justice is slow, but it can be achieved. Your role as a journalist isn't to punish, but to speak the truth. That alone is a power."
Nathan exhaled heavily. "But who will listen when the media stays silent? Not just in Vietnam, even the headquarters here prefers to dismiss me rather than admit I'm right."
Julian remained silent for a moment, gaze steady. "They fear the honest voice. But you must stand tall. Remember your parents in Vietnam—they'd be proud."
Nathan nodded. "I never forget, and I will stay true to myself."
Julian smiled, touching Nathan's chin. "You're an extraordinary man. Don't let the world dim your light."
They laughed softly as night crept on. At 6:35 p.m., they stood, paid, and headed to the parking lot.
The night air was colder than usual. Nathan sat behind Julian on his red sport bike, arms wrapped tightly around his lover, eyes on the streets ahead.
"Are you sure we shouldn't just take a taxi?" Nathan asked through the helmet intercom.
Julian chuckled. "Relax. I've done this many times."
Nathan didn't answer, holding on tighter. There was a strange unease tonight, a faint premonition.
The bike sped through the intersection as the light turned green. Streets were relatively empty.
Suddenly, from the right, a large container truck barreled toward them. Headlights blinded them. A long horn shattered the night. The truck ran the red light. "Julian, watch out!"
Julian glanced briefly.
BRUUUAK!!!
A violent crash tore through the silence. Nathan and Julian were thrown. Their bike shattered. Metal clashed, brakes screeched, glass shattered, chaos erupted.
In an instant, the world went black.
Back in the realm of the gods, Nathan remained still, standing beside Adam, witnessing visions above the clouds—the crash, blood, screams. He sighed, trying to catch the breaths taken from that moment. "That… was a tragic end," he murmured, almost like a whispering wind.
Adam glanced at him, then back at the clouds. Silent.
Nathan turned to Hestia, still standing gracefully by his side. "Am I… dead?" he asked, voice steady enough to echo among the clouds.
Hestia floated down to a large stone, resting her chin on her hand, smiling softly. "Depends on the situation," she replied, with a playful wink.
"Situation?" Nathan muttered, confused, exhaling, staring at the clouds below. Emptiness suddenly consumed him, as if the world he knew had vanished—or perhaps he had.
"What about him?" Nathan looked at Adam, curiosity in his eyes.
"Are you… dead too?" he asked.
Adam frowned, trying to remember. He closed his eyes, rubbing his temples, face blank. "I… don't know," he admitted. "My memory… feels empty."
Hestia waved her hand, and clouds formed a new vision: a world unlike Los Angeles. Giant trees towered, fresh air carried the scent of wildflowers, rivers flowed through hills and valleys.
Nathan stepped closer, eyes wide. "This place… it's so green," he breathed.
"That's Adam's world," Hestia said, twirling her silver hair. "Elberia, one of the realms that still maintains balance between magic and nature."
Nathan swallowed. "It's so different! No pollution, no skyscrapers, no honking… nothing…"
"Yet problems still exist," Adam added, looking toward the vision of Elberia. "Our kingdom faces threats, both human and magical."
Nathan stared at Adam, full of curiosity.
"Stop staring at me like that."
"W-what? My gaze is normal!"
"No, it's… weird."
Hestia's eyes glimmered slightly. "Adaaaam…" Her voice carried subtle emotion. Adam stayed silent, unwilling to have his voice taken again.
"Fine, fine." He allowed Nathan's gaze, filled with awe and a strange affection.
After receiving the royal insignia, the group rejoined the guests, but Adam remained apart. He walked out to the balcony, letting the night wind sweep through his dark hair. In his right hand, a glass of deep red royal wine swayed gently. Sweet, slightly tart—the taste mirrored his current emotions.
He gazed at the starry night sky. The palace celebration inside could not shake his mind.
"If only I could bring Isna here…" Adam whispered, eyes distant. "If only I could preserve this moment with her."
Soft footsteps approached. A gentle pat landed on his shoulder. "What are you doing here, Adam?" asked Marigold, smiling. "People inside are looking for you."
Adam turned with a faint smile. "I just wanted a moment… and to enjoy my triumph here."
Marigold patted his shoulder gently, and Adam flinched slightly.
"Please, Marigold. I already have Isna."
Marigold pouted. "Hmph, that weak woman can't protect you."
Adam chuckled softly. "At least she gives me peace of mind."
"You mean? I can't make you feel at peace?" Marigold squinted, pretending to be offended.
Adam laughed wider. "You… stress me out."
"Hahaha, I'm just joking," Marigold said, tapping her chest lightly. "I know your wife loves you. And congratulations. You summoned the hero successfully!"
Adam froze. His gaze dropped to the wine in his glass. A shadow crossed his face.
"Why?" Marigold asked cautiously. "Aren't you happy?"
"I'm afraid of failing…" Adam whispered. "If the hero truly arrives, can we defeat the God Ash?"
Marigold rolled her eyes but patted him on the back. "Relax, Adam! You're the pride of Elberia, aren't you? Hahaha!"
"Ugh!" Adam winced, holding his back. "That hurts, you know."
Marigold laughed. "If it hurts, it means you're alive. Anyway, you are the best wizard among us. Don't doubt yourself. You've achieved what others could not."
Without warning, Marigold pulled Adam into a hug. He struggled briefly, but eventually relaxed in her embrace.
"I just don't want everything to fail," Adam said softly.
"I know," Marigold replied, releasing him. "Now, let's celebrate your success."
But Adam stiffened. "Wait," he murmured, narrowing his eyes, alert.
Marigold stopped. "What is it?"
Adam turned, sensing something unusual. The magical aura around the palace felt heavy. "This pressure… the barrier…"
"What?" Marigold asked.
"There's a sound," Adam said. "Wings?"
Suddenly, a roaring gale echoed in the distance. Both turned to the sky.
A massive dragon appeared from the north, gliding toward the palace. Its obsidian scales were marked with gray cracks. White, empty eyes radiated unnatural terror.
Adam stepped forward. His wine glass slipped and shattered. "Marigold, warn everyone!" he commanded.
Marigold froze. "What is that?"
"NO TIME!" Adam shouted. "GET EVERYONE INSIDE! I'LL HOLD IT OFF HERE!" Marigold ran back into the palace. Adam took a deep breath, both hands forming complex magical symbols in the air.
He leapt from the third-floor balcony, twisting mid-air, landing lightly in the courtyard, knees bent to absorb the fall.
Both hands shot up, weaving glowing golden lines in the air.
"Prostum Neos!" he shouted.
A massive golden dome erupted from his palms, merging with the palace's protective barrier, reinforcing the castle walls with Adam's magic.
But the dragon drew closer, only two kilometers away. Its immense body, black as night, was armored in steel-like scales. Its roar thundered, shaking the city.
"GRUUUUAAAAHHHHH!!"
The sonic blast rattled everyone. Their ears bled. Silence followed. Only pain and pressure pierced through.
Adam gritted his teeth, standing despite trembling legs.
Marigold, Oswald, and Ernold appeared. Blood streamed from their ears, but their gaze did not waver. They knew this was no time to falter.
Without words, Oswald glanced at Ernold, then crouched, placing his hands under Ernold's legs. Ernold nodded. With incredible force, Oswald launched him into the sky.
Ernold raised his hands skyward, whispering even though no one could hear. Red particles surrounded him, coalescing into a glowing red spear.
"Estos Maxus!"
The spear shot toward the dragon's legs. A silent roar vibrated the ground, blood blackened from the wound. Only a minor injury.
Meanwhile, Marigold formed a magic circle. Her hands trembled but her focus remained.
"I ask for the blessing of Goddess Hestia, whose holiness shines upon all!"
The golem she summoned rose from the earth. A massive stone giant smashed the dragon's stomach with its fists.
Oswald stepped forward, left hand ablaze with red fire. "Infernos Magna!"
Molten magma erupted toward the dragon. Its scales charred, but the beast remained undeterred.
The dragon raised its head, white eyes glaring. A purple energy gathered in its throat, glaringly bright.
Adam realized first. "Prone!" he yelled, but the blast was too strong. Their hearing destroyed.
BWOOOOSSHHH!
The purple beam erupted, smashing through the palace grounds. The protective barrier shattered, slamming into Marigold and Ernold with brutal force. Limbs were crushed.
"AAAGHHH!!! MY LEGS!" Ernold screamed. Adam rushed to him.
"I will heal you!"
The palace exploded behind Adam. Flames spread quickly, devouring stone walls and wooden ceilings. The screams of nobility faded into fire.
Adam stood frozen, shaking, hands trembling.
The dragon landed in the courtyard. Its body cracked the earth. Dust rose. Adam faced the towering beast.
"This… this is the Logia Dragon…" he whispered. "Created… by God Ash…"
He looked at his fallen friends. No one responded. "This can't be defeated by ordinary magic!" he shouted, unheard. The dragon loomed, intimidating anyone who dared look.
GRROOOOARRARRR!!!
The dragon controlled sound. Adam conjured icy air in his hands, forming a blue magical circle to strike back.
Even at the cost of his internal organs, he vowed to protect the kingdom.
He lifted his hands, the circle hovering above the dragon. Crossing his arms to his chest, he called on divine power.
"SAELFINDUR ELICTUS!"
A furious wind of ice descended on the dragon. Its body froze instantly, like a black sculpture trapped in eternal frost.
Adam gasped, magic nearly depleted. He collapsed, near death.
"Is…na…" he whispered, vision dimming. Darkness consumed him.
To be continued…