The Start

In the dead of night, a young boy named Matthew lay awake, staring up at the cracked ceiling of his run-down apartment. The weight of his poverty pressed down on him like a leaden blanket, making it difficult to breathe. He could hear the muffled cries of his younger siblings from their makeshift beds on the floor, their thin blankets doing little to keep them warm. Despite his own discomfort, he couldn't help but feel a sense of duty to protect them, to provide for them in any way he could.

As he lay there, lost in thought, a strange wind began to pick up, whistling through the window and rustling the curtains. At first, he paid it no mind, but as the wind grew stronger, it began to feel almost intentional. Almost like someone or something was trying to get his attention. And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the wind died down, leaving the room eerily silent.

For a moment, Matthew thought he might have imagined it all. But then, as he slowly began to drift back to sleep, he felt a strange tingling sensation spread throughout his body. It started in his fingertips and traveled up his arms, down his spine, and into the tips of his toes. The sensation was both foreign and familiar, as if he were remembering something long forgotten. And then, just as he was about to fully succumb to sleep, a voice echoed in his mind.

"Matthew," it whispered. "Matthew, wake up."

He sat up with a start, his heart pounding in his chest. The room looked the same as it always did, but somehow, everything felt different. As if he were seeing the world through a new pair of eyes. "Who's there?" he whispered, looking around nervously. "Show yourself!" There was no response, only the faintest of breezes, carrying the scent of flowers and freshly cut grass.

Matthew stood up, his joints creaking from disuse, and walked over to the window. Peering out into the darkness, he could just make out the silhouette of a figure standing on the fire escape below. It was tall and thin, clad in flowing robes that billowed in the wind. The figure raised a glowing hand, and as it did so, Matthew felt a surge of energy course through his veins. His breath hitched in his throat, and for a moment, the world around him seemed to fade away.

"My name is Loki," the figure said, its voice echoing through his mind. "I am a god from another world, and I have been watching you for some time. You see, Matthew, you are not ordinary. You have the potential to progress in cultivation through breathing, a rare and powerful gift. I have come to offer you a chance to leave this world behind and join me in my realm, where you can learn to harness your abilities and become the greatest cultivator the universe has ever seen."

Matthew was stunned into silence. He had always dreamed of leaving his poverty behind, of becoming someone important, but he never imagined it would happen like this. The figure, this god, Loki, stood before him, offering him a chance at a new life. He couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe, fear, and excitement welling up inside him.

"I... I don't understand," he stammered. "What do you mean by 'cultivation through breathing'? And what kind of world are you talking about?" He hesitated for a moment before adding, "And what about my family? What will happen to them if I leave?"

Loki chuckled softly, a melodic sound that seemed to fill the air around them. "Cultivation through breathing is a unique practice, one that you have an affinity for. It allows you to harness the energy within your own body and control it. As for my realm, it is a place of unimaginable beauty and power, where those who have mastered their cultivation live in harmony with the universe. As for your family, they will be well taken care of. I will ensure that they are provided for and given the opportunity to learn and grow as well."

The god's words sent a shiver down Matthew's spine. He knew that he couldn't turn down such an offer, but at the same time, leaving his family behind weighed heavily on his heart. After a long moment of contemplation, he finally steeled himself and nodded. "Alright," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll come with you."

Loki smiled warmly, and with a wave of his hand, a shimmering portal appeared in the air before them. "Then follow me, Matthew. The first step of your new journey awaits." As he stepped through the portal, Matthew turned one last time to look at his dilapidated apartment, a mix of sadness and determination etched on his face. With a deep breath, he followed the god through the portal, embarking on a journey that would change his life forever.

The world beyond the portal was unlike anything Matthew had ever imagined. Lush forests stretched as far as the eye could see, their trees towering above him like sentinels. The air was crisp and clean, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers and fruit. As they walked through the woods, Loki explained that they were in the mortal realm, where those who had yet to master cultivation dwelled. It was here that Matthew would begin his training, honing his skills and preparing for the greater challenges that lay ahead.