Chapter 1: Awakening in a New World

Everything felt off.

The chilly wind softly caresses what you imagine to be your skin, something soft beneath you, and a sense of warmth and light caressing you as you awaken. Not everything feels quite the same, which makes it unusual. Your eyes open slowly to discover a sky that is unlike anything you have ever seen. It's a vivid turquoise color, and over the vast void are limply floating clouds of pink and gold. The sun beams down, bathing everything in a warm, ethereal light (or two, depending on the situation).

You attempt to sit up, but something is off. Your heart is thumping in your chest. You simultaneously feel lighter and heavier. a confusing concoction that impairs your ability to regulate your own motions. Your breath freezes in your throat as you look down. It's not your body underneath you, or at least it's not the one you remember.

The limbs and features you've known your entire life are gone. Rather, what you see is completely alien: limbs that terminate in claws, scales that shimmer with an iridescent sheen, and wings—wings—that extend from your back and rustle in response to your thoughts. Your breath quickens as you race to your feet—or whatever you have on hand that does the same thing—as panic sweeps through you. As you try to process this scary new truth, your heart rushes and thumps irregularly in your chest.

"What... what is this?" Words flow from a voice that sounds deeper, vibrating with a strange echo, both familiar and alien. With shaking claws, you reach out and touch your face and chest, searching for anything that resembles the person you used to be. All you can sense, though, are the strange curves of this new body and the cold, smooth touch of scales.

Searching frantically for a clue to explain what has occurred, you try to take in your surroundings. You've never seen a forest like this one before—it's lush and colorful. The towering, ancient trees have leaves that are a kaleidoscope of hues that shouldn't be there, including glittering blues, flaming oranges, and deep purples. Strange animals flitting among the trees, their cries a cacophony of melodic notes, add to the unsettling atmosphere.

"This can't be real," you murmur, stumbling forward and taking erratic steps as you attempt to maneuver around your strange physique. "This has to be a dream..."

However, every feeling is too strong and vivid to be anything other than genuine. Everything screams actuality, from the feel of the wind brushing against your wings to the smell of strange flowers in the air to the texture of the land beneath your feet. At that point, the terror starts to set in. How are you doing? How are you doing? How did you travel to this location?

Your mind races, sending your thoughts into disarray as you try to recall the last thing that happened before you woke up here. An accident occurred. You recall suffering, intense brightness, and then nothing. The recollections are unclear and broken, like puzzle parts that just won't fit together. And now here you are, imprisoned in a body that is not your own, in this odd and fascinating land.

You are startled out of your whirling thoughts by a sudden rustling sound. You turn around and automatically lift your claws to defend yourself. As the sound approaches, your pulse races and you prepare yourself for whatever could emerge from the thick undergrowth.

You're shocked to see that it's a person, or at least a humanoid person, rather than some hideous beast. They enter the clearing with fluid, elegant motions, giving the impression that they are a part of this planet in a manner that you could never be. They have long, silvery hair that gleams like moonlight, towering features, and eyes that radiate a strange, ethereal light. Their garments are composed of a shimmering material that looks to flow like water, and their skin is pale, almost transparent.

The person halts a few steps away, staring at you with such intensity that it makes you want to back off. However, there's something in their look—something gentle, even worried—that keeps you grounded.

They say, "You're awake," in a tone that is both comforting and authoritative. "I wasn't sure you would survive the transformation."

"The... transformation?" Your voice quivers as you reverberate. "What topic are you discussing? How did I end up here?"

You become anxious as they go closer, yet they offer a hand in a peaceful gesture. "I realize this is a lot to handle, but you must maintain your composure. Your body is still getting used to the new situation, so panicking might make it worse."

"Worse?" Your voice cracked as you laughed bitterly. How could things possibly be worse? I'm not even human anymore, I swear!"

The apparition gives you a gentle nod, as though they comprehend your anxiety. "Yes, the adjustment is challenging. You're not alone, though. Similar to you, there exist other beings on this planet who have also been given the opportunity to try again."

"However, why? Why did I change? Why have I come here?" With a mixture of dread and frustration, your voice trembles as you ask frantic inquiries.

They hesitate, as though weighing how much to reveal to you. "This planet is a location of rebirth, a location where lost souls are given new forms and new lives. You were meant to be reborn here, but the form you've assumed is the result of your soul's essence."

"The essence of my soul?" You shake your head, finding it difficult to understand. "I don't understand... Why me?"

The person approaches further closer, softening their stare. You still don't know a lot, but I can still be of assistance. I can assist you navigate this environment, get used to your new existence, and eventually perhaps even help you comprehend why this occurred."

You look at them, doubt, dread, and bewilderment racing through your head. However, there's something about them—a genuineness, a kindness—that makes you desire to have faith in them. And they are the only thing that seems even slightly comfortable in this weird and terrible world.

You inquire, speaking in hardly audible more than a whisper, "Who are you?"

A little smile appears on their lips. "Alaric is my name. Throughout my lengthy life, I have witnessed a great deal of people just like you. Allow me to assist you, and maybe together we may discover the solutions you want."

You pause, looking about at the strange surroundings before turning back to Alaric. Although you are still overcome with terror, there is a glimmer of hope—a small glimmer that suggests you might actually be able to get through this.

You inhale deeply and nod. "Alright, I'll trust you."

Alaric grinned more, and for the first time you have a slight sensation of relief for the first time since you woke up. "All right. Accompany me. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and the road won't be simple. You won't, however, have to face it alone, I swear."

After taking one final look at the world you've woken up in, you follow Alaric into the unknown, feeling both hopeful and afraid. Now that your new life has started, you're resolved to take each day as it comes, even if you have no idea what is ahead.