Chapter 2: A New World

Elias's eyes shot open. His breathing was ragged, as though he'd been drowning moments before. Around him, a pulsating light illuminated a cold, cracked surface, fissures glowing in a rhythm that seemed to thrum deep in his bones.

Slowly, he pushed himself upright, one hand pressed against his temple to stop his head from splitting apart. His wide eyes scanned his surroundings: a crimson sky streaked with jagged blue lightning, distant black mountains rising in unnatural shapes. The air crackled with an invisible tension, an energy so thick it made his muscles tremble.

"Where... where am I?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Looking down, he realized the medallion was still in his hand. Its crystal center pulsed softly, mirroring the glow of the cracks on the ground. A strange warmth radiated from it, oddly comforting amidst the oppressive landscape.

Then, a cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

"Host confirmed. Welcome to the Domain of the Lines. Adaptation sequence initiated."

Elias flinched, his eyes darting around.

"Who's there?! Show yourself!" he shouted, his voice trembling.

But there was no one. Only the disembodied voice, calm and implacable.

"Primary objectives: gather information, ensure immediate survival. Sequence in progress..."

A shiver ran down Elias's spine. This wasn't a dream. This world, the glowing cracks, that voice—it was all terrifyingly real.

"Okay, breathe… just breathe…" Elias placed a hand on his chest, trying to steady his racing heart. "You just have to figure out what's going on. One step at a time…"

Yet, deep inside, he knew.

He had been chosen.

An Unexpected Encounter

A distant rumble broke the eerie stillness, drawing Elias's attention. He turned toward the sound and spotted a massive structure in the distance—a towering black spire carved with glowing runes that shimmered in sync with the medallion.

"Maybe someone's there…" he muttered.

Pushing himself to his feet, he willed his shaky legs to move forward.

Each step was a struggle: the ground seemed to sap his strength, and the heavy air pressed down on him like an invisible weight. But he kept going, a determined glint in his eyes.

He had barely covered a hundred meters when a prickling sensation crawled up his neck. The unmistakable feeling of being watched.

Elias froze, scanning his surroundings.

"Who's there?" he called out, trying to sound braver than he felt.

A figure emerged from the shadows.

Instinctively, Elias stepped back, clutching the medallion tighter.

It was a woman. Tall and slender, with an elegance that felt almost otherworldly. Her long black hair cascaded like ink over her shoulders, and her piercing violet eyes glowed faintly. An aura of both fascination and menace surrounded her, commanding attention.

She studied him with an intense gaze before speaking, her voice low and sharp:

"You... You're not from here, are you?"

Elias didn't respond immediately, his body tensed as if ready to run.

"Answer me," she pressed, her tone firm. "Where are you from... and why do you have that?"

Her eyes flicked to the medallion. On instinct, Elias clutched it closer to his chest.

"I... I don't know… I ended up here by accident!" he stammered.

Silence hung between them, heavy and unyielding. Her brows furrowed slightly, as though analyzing his every word. Slowly, she extended a hand toward him.

Elias felt a strange pressure sweep over him, as if she were probing his very mind.

"Interesting," she murmured. "The Crystal of the Lines chose you. That doesn't happen often."

"The Crystal of the... what?" Elias shook his head, frustration and fear creeping into his voice. "Could you speak clearly, please? I'm already confused enough!"

A faint smile tugged at her lips.

"You've got spirit, outsider. Good. I'll give you a chance. Follow me."

The Rules of the World

Without waiting for his response, she turned and began walking. Elias hesitated, but his options were limited. After a moment, he trudged after her.

They walked in silence for a while, the oppressive air broken only by the faint hum of the glowing cracks beneath their feet. Finally, the woman spoke.

"This world is unlike the one you came from. Here, everything is governed by a force called Mana. It's an energy that exists in the air, the ground, and every living being."

"So… magic," Elias said, his brows knitting together.

"Yes, if you prefer to simplify it. But don't get your hopes up. Manipulating Mana requires innate talent, and not everyone is capable of it."

She glanced over her shoulder at him, her violet eyes scanning him.

"And you… your body isn't adapted."

Elias grimaced.

"Great. Stuck in a magical world, and I can't even use magic. Just my luck…"

"Don't be so dramatic," she snapped. "Your medallion… it's connected to the Lines. That's a force far older and more powerful than Mana. Few can interact with it without losing their sanity."

"Then why me? Why did this medallion choose me?"

The woman shrugged nonchalantly.

"That's something only time will reveal."

First Dangers

As they neared a massive structure covered in strange glowing runes, a low rumble rippled through the air.

The woman halted abruptly, raising a hand to stop Elias.

"What's—" he began.

"Quiet," she hissed, her tone suddenly cold. "Something's coming."

Elias swallowed hard, his throat dry.

From the shadows, a figure emerged, its glowing red eyes cutting through the darkness.

"What is that?" Elias whispered, his voice shaking.

The woman unsheathed a curved blade with practiced ease, her violet eyes blazing with a dangerous light.

"A vampire," she said grimly. "Stay behind me if you value your life."

Elias's heart pounded in his chest. This world wasn't just strange it was lethal.

To Be Continued…