Beyond Mortals

Scene 1: The NightmareAlex's dreams were no longer his own. He found himself in a vast, desolate wasteland under a crimson sky. A dark figure loomed before him, its form shifting like smoke.

"You are running out of time," the figure whispered. "You are not ready."

The ground cracked beneath Alex's feet, and he stumbled back. The shadow surged forward—

And he woke up.

Gasping for air, Alex clutched his ring. It was ice-cold against his skin. The whispering voice from his dream still echoed in his mind.

Scene 2: A Call from Home

His phone buzzed on the nightstand. Still shaken from the nightmare, Alex grabbed it and saw his mom's name on the screen. He quickly answered.

"Hey, Mom."

"Hi, sweetheart! Just wanted to let you know that your dad and I are flying back tomorrow. We'll be home Sunday morning."

Alex blinked. "Wait, really? I thought your business trip in Norway was longer."

"We wrapped things up early. I can't wait to see you. Everything okay?"

Alex hesitated. His mind flashed back to the nightmare, the shadow's voice still ringing in his ears. But he forced a smile. "Yeah, everything's fine. Can't wait to see you too."

Scene 3: A Visit from Nate

Not long after the call, a knock at the window startled him. He turned to see Nate grinning at him from the other side.

Alex sighed, getting up to let him in. "You know, normal people use the door."

"Yeah, yeah, but this is way cooler," Nate said, hopping inside. "Anyway, dude, you HAVE to check this out. The new Marvel's Spider-Man game just dropped, and it looks insane. I'm talking next-level graphics, crazy mechanics—it's gonna blow your mind."

Alex chuckled, shaking off the eerie feeling from earlier. "Alright, alright. Let's check it out."

Scene 4: Gaming and the Waiting Game

They fired up the console and got lost in the world of Spider-Man 2, swinging through the city, taking down enemies, and geeking out over the details. Time flew as they played mission after mission. After about an hour, they switched to Mortal Kombat, battling each other in intense two-player fights.

As they wrapped up their second match, Alex glanced at the clock. "Wonder when Leannah's gonna show up. We were supposed to introduce her to the mortal world today."

Nate shrugged, grabbing a drink. "She's probably busy doing immortal warrior stuff. Or maybe she got lost trying to figure out how traffic lights work."

Just then, a sudden gust of wind swept through the room, making them both freeze. A familiar presence filled the air.

Alex and Nate turned to see Leannah standing there, arms crossed. "I have arrived."

Nate blinked. "Okay, you have GOT to stop doing that."

Alex grinned. "Perfect timing. Welcome to the mortal world."

Scene 5: Exploring the Town

The trio stepped out onto the busy streets, the golden hues of the setting sun casting long shadows. Leannah took in her surroundings with a keen gaze, analyzing the moving cars, flashing billboards, and groups of people strolling by.

"This world is… noisy," she observed.

"Yeah, welcome to civilization," Nate said. "Wait till you see a shopping mall."

Their first stop was a clothing store. Leannah eyed the racks of modern outfits with skepticism. "Why do you require so many garments?"

Alex laughed. "Fashion. Comfort. And, you know, not standing out."

Nate held up a hoodie. "Try this. You'll look less like a warrior princess and more like a regular person."

Leannah sighed but complied, disappearing into a fitting room. When she emerged in jeans and a leather jacket, Nate whistled. "Hey, not bad! You look like you could be in an action movie."

Leannah crossed her arms. "If this helps me blend in, then it will suffice."

As they stepped back outside, the sky turned shades of deep orange and purple. The town lights flickered on, illuminating the streets with a warm glow.

Scene 6: Ice Cream and Carnival Rides

The trio grabbed ice cream from a street vendor, with Leannah eyeing the frozen treat suspiciously. "What is this?"

"Ice cream. Trust me, it's amazing," Alex said.

She took a cautious bite and blinked in surprise. "Acceptable."

Nate grinned. "That's high praise coming from her."

Their adventure led them to a local carnival, where neon lights illuminated the night. They rode bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, and even convinced Leannah to try a roller coaster.

"This is absurd!" she shouted as they plunged down a steep drop, gripping the safety bar like a true warrior facing battle.

Nate laughed so hard he almost cried. "Best reaction ever!"

After several more rides, Nate clutched his stomach, turning pale. "Ugh… I think I overdid it."

Alex smirked. "You gonna make it?"

Nate groaned. "Nope—"

And just like that, he ran to the nearest trash can.

Leannah raised an eyebrow. "Weak stomachs are a liability."

Alex patted Nate on the back. "It's a rite of passage."

As the night wind cooled the air, the three of them stood by the carnival's edge, watching the distant city lights.

For a moment, it was just a regular night with friends. But Alex knew—deep down—that this was only the calm before the storm.

To Be Continued…