Chapter 2

In a huge wilderness, one of the last of its kind, located adjacent to the nearby thriving metropolis, a boy is seen lying on the grass. Besides him, another older boy is frantically shouting and shaking the former's shoulders.

"Wake up !! Ansel, wake up !!"

There are tears streaming down the older boy's eyes and he is almost about to break down.

Suddenly Ansel groans and moves his limbs with apparent difficulty. Seeing this the older boy instantly brightens up and heaves a huge sigh of relief.

"Ah, you scared me Ansel. What happened to you ? Are you okay ?"

Ansel finally manages to open his eyes and blinks them a few times to get adjusted to his vision.

He then turns to the older boy who is looking at him with a tearstained face and bloodshot eyes with concern.

"Do you remember me or have you forgotten your awesome older brother ?" The older boy says, to Ansel, the apparent younger brother, seeing as how he doesn't seem to know what is happening or has happened, in an extremely useless way to alleviate the mood.

"......." Ansel opens and closes his mouth a few times but no sound comes out. Upon watching this the older brother hurriedly brings out a water bottle from the backpack lying near them. Ansel manages to sip a few drops with the help of his older brother.

He feels better now after taking a few deep breaths and the water but his mind is still muddled. Somehow it seems like his subconscious is not his or at least someone else has invaded it. He proceeds to immediately discard this ridiculous notion and tries to clear his mind.

"What happened, Lukas ?"

"I don't know. We were returning home when you suggested to take a shortcut through this forest. I don't even know where we are or what sort of shortcut you know of but you assured me so I agreed. Then suddenly you screamed and then fell down and fainted. So obviously I got scared as I didn't bring my smartphone and yours is dead. So I tried to wake you up but nothing happened. And then finally you opened your eyes otherwise I don't know what would have happened or what I would've done."

Ansel pondered over his brother's recounting of the events. He tried to remember about when or why he screamed and fainted but he couldn't seem to do so.

"Can you stand up now. It's getting dark. We need to get home soon." Lukas's voice breaks his musings and he proceeds to stand up and stumbles before regaining his balance.

"Whoop. Let's go." They pick up their backpacks and start to run.

"Where is this shortcut you speak of ?"

"Just follow me"

"How do you know about this?"

"Stop being a worrywart Lukas. Trust me."

"Oh.. I don't think any elder brother could ever trust their younger brothers. Especially not in a place like this." Lukas mumbles while looking around their surroundings and the wide variety of fauna.

Ansel keeps his mouth shut and just keeps on running, with Lukas following him.

They soon reach a path leading to a huge gate with an alley behind it. The alley leads to the main street and Lukas immediately recognises the place. It is indeed near their home.

"So do we have to climb up the gate or are you gonna magic it open?" Lukas probes Ansel hoping for a easier way to cross over the 2-3 metre high gate.

"Haha, it isn't locked. What were you even thinking of? Seriously." Ansel chuckles and teases Lukas and walks over to the gate. He pushes the door open and Lukas follows him. They soon find themselves in a familiar place and pick up the pace to reach home as soon as possible.

Upon safely reaching home they breathe out a huge sigh of relief and proceed to eat dinner and sleep, as they were weary.

Ansel tosses and turns all night long, sweat on his face and back, as if having a nightmare. His mind keeps on hurting and forcefully he finds as if something is invading his mind, invading him.

"...A...Artel....?" He inadvertently mumbles. Finally after a long time he feels normal and tired, and tries to sleep.

He soon finds himself dreaming about a faraway land.

A land without any realms or magic.

Where everything related to magic or cultivation is considered to be fiction.

A place called Earth.

And a boy named Artel Maverick...

....who died...

and met...God.