CHAPTER 3: THE CHINA ENCOUNTER 1

TRIVIUM

Life trickles back slowly as the rush of wind slaps against my face and hands. My lungs greedily draw in the cool, revitalizing air.

But how am I still alive?

Moments ago, I teetered on the edge of death alongside my father and younger brother, ensnared in the clutches of Emperor Erebus. I struggle to breathe, my chest heaving as Erebus drains the very air from my lungs. Just as I feel the darkness creeping in, a surge of rainbow light envelops me—a gift from the Gatekeeper, one of the Ultra Magicians.

And then, I'm falling. Back to Earth from the depths of Ultra Planet, hurtling through the atmosphere with dizzying speed. Helpless and vulnerable, I plummet. It feels like an eternity, each second stretching into an agonizing forever.

The air rushes past me, the sky above an endless expanse of azure, the sun glaring bright against fluffy clouds. I am weak, drained by Erebus's relentless assault. The ground rushes up to meet me with frightening speed.

And then...

I crash-land with thunderous force. Pain explodes through every fiber of my being as I hit the ground hard. The impact steals what little strength remains, leaving me gasping and disoriented. Darkness clouds my vision as I teeter on the edge of unconsciousness.

I open my eyes to find myself in a vast garden bathed in golden sunlight. Towering trees sway gently in the breeze, their emerald leaves whispering secrets to the wind. Vibrant flowers bloom in every direction, their delicate petals stretching toward the light as if offering silent praise. The air carries the fresh scent of earth and blossoms, a fragrance both soothing and surreal.

I take a step forward, my boots pressing into the velvety grass, leaving faint imprints behind. To my left, a cherry tree adorned with crimson blooms stands tall, its branches outstretched like welcoming arms. The landscape before me is a masterpiece—an artist's vision of harmony and perfection. Sunlight dances on the dewdrops, turning them into tiny prisms of gold. The stillness here is profound, untouched by time, unburdened by chaos.

For a moment, I simply breathe, letting the serenity wash over me. In this place, there is no war, no struggle—just an eternal, undisturbed balance. But as wonder settles in, so does confusion.

How did I get here?

The realization sends a chill down my spine. I scan my surroundings, searching for answers. The silence is overwhelming, the vastness of the garden stretching endlessly. There is no one here. No movement, no sound beyond the rustling leaves.

"What the hell?" I mutter under my breath.

"Freaky, isn't it?"

A voice. Familiar, unmistakable.

I turn sharply and freeze. Standing before me is my brother—the one who foolishly challenged Erebus.

"The feeling. The void. The emptiness," he says, his voice calm but heavy with meaning.

"Serpent?" I whisper, disbelief and joy colliding within me. I step forward, hesitating only for a heartbeat before embracing him tightly. "I can't believe I'm seeing you again."

"Yeah, same here," he says, his tone carrying a quiet sadness.

As I pull away, a new question takes hold. "How did I get here?" My voice is firmer now, urgency replacing the warmth of reunion. "Where am I?"

"The Astral Realm," he explains. "You barely escaped death at the hands of Emperor Erebus. The Gatekeeper teleported you and Zara to different planets. When a person dies, their soul comes here permanently. But when someone is unconscious, their soul only stays temporarily. To return, you have to reconnect with your body."

I glance around. "My body isn't even here."

"When you fainted, your consciousness drifted further away from the physical world. To get back, you need to remember how, when, and where you fell."

I process his words carefully before another thought strikes me. "If I'm here, where's Zara? How do I know she's safe from Erebus?"

"She's fine," Serpent assures me. "The Gatekeeper teleported her to another planet. Erebus won't find her."

"How can you be so sure?" I press.

"Because I'm a watcher. I've seen her movements, her new home, her new family—and your unconscious body."

I frown. "How?"

"Every soul here has a power—the ability to watch over their loved ones. But we can't interfere. We can't help them, even when they need it. I also know that a group of humans is heading toward the place where you landed."

I narrow my eyes. "Who are they?"

"I don't know. They look different from the people we knew years ago. Their plan is to see if you survived. If you have, they'll capture you and present you to their king."

I exhale sharply. "Why?"

"No creature has fallen from space in thousands of years."

"Great," I mutter. "So how do I reconnect?"

"I told you—think. Think deeply about what happened before you got here. Remember how, when, and where you fell."

I shut my eyes, concentrating. Images flash through my mind—memories of battle, of failure. The weight of our loss crushes me. The Alabaster Box, the deaths of my father and Serpent, our inability to stop Erebus.

I open my eyes. "I can't. I'm sorry."

"Yes, you can," Serpent insists.

"I can't, Serpent. All I can think about is how we failed. How we let everything slip away. It's not working."

"Brother, focus," he urges, stepping closer. "If you stay here too long, your heart will stop. If that happens, you'll be permanently disconnected from your body."

My breath catches. "That means I'll die."

"Exactly. So wake up. Wake up, find the Amulet, find the leader of the Ultimate Ventures, and keep the Amulet safe."

I hesitate. "Why should I?"

"Erebus has sent his people to steal it. I know you failed before, but you can't fail again."

I clench my fists. "Fine."

Closing my eyes once more, I force myself to concentrate. The memories are overwhelming, crashing over me like relentless waves. The pain in my head sharpens, but I push through. I think harder, deeper—until something clicks.

I hear the Gatekeeper's voice. I remember the spell he cast. I see the rainbow light engulfing me, feel the shift as I teleport. Then, I recall the warmth of the sun, the air against my skin, the sensation of falling toward Earth.

A sudden clarity washes over me.

"That's it, brother," Serpent says, his voice fading. "You made it."

The garden blurs, dissolving into light.

"May we meet again."

To be continued....