New World

Indra and Sophie advanced through the endless hospital corridors. Each step echoed like a bad omen: the building seemed infinite, branching into wings and rooms that multiplied like a labyrinth. At first glance, it resembled an ordinary hospital — but with every meter they walked, the facade of normality dissolved, revealing a place where the impossible was routine.

The walls gleamed with translucent panels that pulsed like crystal hearts, while machines of alien design emitted soft sounds, almost like chants. Arcane symbols and mystical markings covered the ceilings and baseboards, twisting slowly like living serpents — and it was in this environment that Indra began to realize: the hospital was a sanctuary between future technology and primordial magic.

Doctors crossed their path clad in white coats adorned with the crests of secret orders and pendants of stone that shimmered subtly. Their hands not only wielded unimaginable surgical instruments but also controlled threads of golden energy that stretched into the bodies of patients, healing wounds that defied any human logic.

As they walked, reality grew darker and darker. Indra peeked through a half-open door and almost staggered back: on the bed lay a man who looked as though he'd been chewed up by some colossal beast — his skin riddled with holes, black stains bubbling like tar, and indescribably colored viscous fluids oozing into nauseating puddles. Life was draining grotesquely from him, as if something were devouring him from the inside out.

Farther ahead, another room revealed a patient whose body was dominated by white, crater-like sores, reminiscent of infected hives. When those bubbles burst, black flowers twisted like fever dreams emerged — each petal bore teeth, each thorn looked like a blade. And from within them came a shrill scream that pierced Indra's mind, reverberating in his chest like an echo devouring his soul.

His spine froze with every door they passed — yet Sophie maintained a supernatural calm, as if this were as ordinary as a walk in the park. Her eyes stayed fixed ahead, indifferent to the horror.

It wasn't long before they reached the exit. Sophie stood before the massive door of twisted iron, covered in symbols that seemed to glow in the gloom. She slid aside with a silent motion, and Indra understood: this moment was his. With a final breath, he placed his hand on the ornate handle, feeling the cold metal seep into his bones. He hesitated. The world he knew ended here.

But there was no room for fear. He turned the handle firmly — and it was like parting the curtains of the universe. A blast of silver light blinded him for an instant. When his eyes adjusted, he saw.

Before him stretched a sky like a living painting: a silver sun burned with purple flames that danced like veils, illuminating black clouds streaked with multicolored lightning — some in hues the human mind shouldn't be able to perceive. The cold heat from that sun was so unnatural it seemed to warp reality itself.

Beside him, Sophie also gazed upon the sight, her lips curling into an enigmatic smile that vanished almost as soon as it appeared — as if the city before them could still surprise even someone like her.

Indra was snapped from his awe when he felt her hand intertwine with his. And for the first time, he truly saw who stood beside him: Sophie was more than beautiful — she was mesmerizing. Her black hair fell like a veil of ink, her eyes a solid, endless color holding ancient secrets, and her marble-white skin radiated an ethereal magnetism. Every line of her body seemed sculpted to inspire both desire and fear in equal measure.

Realizing he was staring like a fascinated predator, he looked away, embarrassed — but not before catching a faint smile playing on her lips. Sophie knew exactly the effect she had.

Seeking relief, Indra turned his eyes to the city. And there, the true nature of the Other Side revealed itself: obsidian skyscrapers rose like black spears against the purple sky. Each building, though Victorian in detail, shimmered with arcane neon signs, as if Tokyo and a gothic castle had given birth to something dark and magnificent.

The streets were paved with red sandstone blocks arranged in patterns defying symmetry — at once chaotic and harmonious, like a living mosaic. The sidewalks, carved from ivory so pure they reflected light like solid snow, wound between buildings and plazas.

Between mansions resembling temples of forgotten gods, gardens bloomed with plant species that had never existed on Earth — some glowed, others whispered in strange tongues when the wind passed.

As they explored the Royal Borough, Sophie led Indra in silence, as if introducing a prince to his newly inherited kingdom. And what a kingdom it was: along the broad streets, figures in arcane robes walked beside knights in organic armor, their colored auras flickering like will-o'-the-wisps. From time to time, carriages floated smoothly above the ground, pulled by creatures born of nightmares or dreams.

Indra noticed districts with distinct atmospheres: the Iron Cross, where austere facades covered in ancient inscriptions and deep cracks exuded the weight of centuries; the Diamond Cross, in contrast, sparkled with buildings that mirrored the sky like black glass, living symbols of power and wealth.

Markets sprawled beneath arches carved with gargoyles and demonic symbols, where vendors hawked cursed relics, scrolls that fluttered as if breathing, and potions that changed color like lunar tides. Small demonic creatures scurried about, carrying bags or climbing stalls with supernatural agility.

Among the crowds, patrols of the Society's guards marched in silence, cloaked in leaden mantles that swayed like liquid shadows, armed with spears glowing with living runes and swords that shifted shape in their hands.

Crystal panels floated over the streets, displaying ads in ancient languages: "ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR THE ESOTERIC ACADEMY," blinked one, while another showed an image of a colossal creature being slain by mages and knights — a recruitment campaign for new heroes.

The city felt alive: blocks subtly shifted positions, as if breathing; alleys appeared where moments before there had been none; and arcane gates marked neighborhood borders, each bearing names evoking ancestral power: "Benedictus," "Urbanus," "Celestinus" — reminders of eras when faith and magic walked hand in hand.

In the shadows of every alley, eyes glowed in supernatural hues; and in the distance, crystal bells tolled, their notes resonating in the heart like prophecies.

Indra walked on, his heart in turmoil. This wasn't just a place — it was a new world, forged from secrets, dreams, and terrors. And there, in the heart of the Esoteric Society, he understood: he would only survive if he could embrace the impossible — and fight with every fiber of his soul.

---

The restaurant doors opened as if recognizing Sophie Ledger, sliding into the walls with an arcane whisper. Indra followed her, steps careful, still unnerved by the echo of his own feet on the black marble floor. The space was vast, lit by floating glass orbs like golden bubbles emitting a soft, mysterious glow.

The tables, made of fossilized wood, bore spiral patterns that seemed to move subtly when he wasn't looking directly. From the ceiling hung chandeliers of polished bone, holding candles whose flames shifted colors each second, from deep purple to spectral green.

"This restaurant is famous for serving dishes from every region of the Esoteric Society," Sophie said, settling into a chair carved from black stone adorned with silver inlays. "There are things here you wouldn't find anywhere in our world."

Indra sat across from her, captivated. Soon, waiters dressed like Victorian butlers — but with reptilian eyes — approached, placing menus printed on the hide of some unknown creature. When he opened his, the menu rearranged itself, adapting to his understanding, revealing dishes with strange names like Grilled Chimera Liver, Abyssal Moss Risotto, Stellar Mist Soup.

Indra hesitated, pointing to something that looked almost normal: Stewed Stone Bird. Sophie raised an eyebrow with a slight smile.

"You'll love it," she said, ordering the same.

As they waited, the restaurant filled with soft sounds: a melody played by musicians wearing porcelain masks, their instruments floating around them, producing dissonant, ethereal harmonies.

When their dishes arrived, exhaling an earthy, exotic aroma, Indra took the first bite and was amazed: the meat had a firm yet succulent texture, bursting with flavors he'd never tasted. A gentle warmth spread through his chest, as if the food were alive. He looked at Sophie, eyes shining with wonder.

"I… this is incredible," he stammered, wiping his mouth with a napkin that felt like it was woven from silver spider silk.

Sophie watched him closely. "Indra, do you understand that what happened to you isn't normal? An Apprentice…" — she paused, sipping something like liquid wine, but pulsing purple. "An Apprentice would never defeat a Dormant Horror. It's practically impossible. You accessed your Energy instinctively, which is rare."

She leaned back, letting her demonic tail sway behind her.

"When a human awakens their Energy, they become an Apprentice. Then, they must learn to channel it to form Magical Veins throughout their body. These are like conduits that let you control Energy precisely. Doing that, you become an Awakened." — Sophie traced an imaginary line from shoulder to heart. "Only when those Veins are stable can you condense your Energy into an Inner Core formed in the heart. That's when you become a Graduate."

Indra frowned, absorbing every word as he took another bite.

"So… only after becoming a Graduate can someone… cross into the Other Side?" he asked, his voice thick with curiosity and anxiety.

Sophie nodded. "Exactly. Humans need an Inner Core to break the Veil and travel between our world and the Other Side. But Creatures of the Other Side are born Graduated." — She paused, her heterochromatic eyes gleaming under the shifting light. "And some of them can have up to ten Inner Cores. Each Core places them in a higher classification, and a Dormant, like the one you killed, is the weakest — equivalent to a creature with only one Core."

Indra held his fork in midair, his mind racing. "So… normally, only someone who's already a Graduate could defeat a Dormant."

"Yes. But you did it without even forming your Magical Veins yet." — Sophie leaned in, her voice low and intense. "You have talent, Indra. I believe that within a month you'll form your Inner Core. Then, you can take the Paranormal Exam and truly stand toe-to-toe with the heirs of the Clans."

Indra swallowed hard, his gaze drifting to the restaurant's windows. Beyond the black glass, the purple sky vibrated with multicolored lightning, as if celebrating his resolve to fight.

Silence fell over the table, broken only by the sounds of cutlery and the ethereal music. Finally, Indra looked up at Sophie.

"Sophie…" — he began, hesitant, his mind confused and his heart heavy. "Why are you helping me so much? Why… me?"

Sophie met his gaze, her eyes as different as night and day, but so intense he almost recoiled. Her face grew serious, unreadable.

"You'll know when the time comes," she answered enigmatically. Then she raised her glass, toasting him in silence, the soft chime echoing like a prophecy.