Chapter 1 — "A World of Endless Wonders"
The figure standing at the base of the staircase was unlike any being Erik had ever seen—or even imagined. Its form shimmered in the low light, cloaked in layers of shifting shadows that seemed to move independently, like a creature of smoke or liquid. Its face was hidden beneath an intricate helm, etched with strange runes that seemed to pulse with faint blue light.
Erik didn't know whether to run, fight, or simply collapse.
"Velhraz…" he whispered, testing the name on his tongue. His chest tightened as the weight of the word pressed down on him. Was this the world he was in now? And why was his soul… still tethered to his old life? To the memories of Earth?
The figure's voice broke through his thoughts, smooth yet cold, like the sound of metal grinding against stone.
"Velhraz, a realm of magic and technology. A world in constant flux, teetering between destruction and creation. And you, Erik Stahl, are the newest player in its grand game."
The words were heavy with meaning, and Erik's mind scrambled to understand them. A world of magic? Technology? Destruction and creation?
"Wait, what do you mean by player?" Erik asked, his voice steady but betraying his confusion.
The figure stepped closer, its movements fluid and unnerving, like it was part of the air itself. It gestured to the vast chamber around them, the pulsating veins of energy and the strange, ancient runes inscribed on the walls.
"The dungeons, the guilds, the corporations, the cities—it all revolves around power. Energy. Mastery. The Aether, and the forces that govern it. You are now part of that cycle, whether you wish it or not. The Dungeon Core you see before you is merely a reflection of Velhraz's endless potential for creation and destruction. It is where your journey begins."
Erik swallowed, his throat dry. A world of Aether, a strange energy that seemed to hum in the very air—his mind raced to catch up with what the figure was saying.
He remembered the words that had appeared when he first woke up: "New Host Confirmed." What did that mean? Was he some kind of experiment? A tool?
"Who—who are you?" Erik asked, his voice carrying a bit more force this time, demanding answers.
The figure tilted its head slightly, as if considering him, before it spoke again, its tone no less imposing.
"I am an Archivist—one who preserves the knowledge of this world. There are many like me, scattered across the realms. It is our duty to guide those like you, the Transmigrants, to their roles in Velhraz. Your journey has already begun, but the path is not clear. There are powers in motion. Forces greater than even you can imagine."
Erik's heart skipped a beat. Transmigrants? Was that what he was now? A pawn in some ancient game?
Before he could voice another question, the Archivist continued, almost as if reading his mind.
"You are not alone in this. There are others who have arrived before you. Some will become your allies. Others… your enemies. The Aether flows through this world, and it will shape you, just as it shapes all who enter. But you must be cautious. Power is not always what it seems."
The Archivist extended a hand, and a blue crystal appeared in its palm. The crystal pulsed with a soft light, and Erik felt a sudden pull in his chest, a strange connection that seemed to reach deep into his soul.
"This is a Glyph of Initiation," the Archivist explained. "It will mark you as part of this world's system, allowing you to tap into the Aether's power. Use it wisely, for it will determine the course of your fate."
Without thinking, Erik reached out and took the crystal. The moment his fingers brushed against it, the world around him seemed to shift. The air grew heavier, the ground beneath his feet vibrating with the hum of unseen forces. His vision blurred for a split second, and then—
A surge.
He gasped as an overwhelming wave of energy flooded his body, coursing through his veins, filling his very being. His senses expanded, as if he could suddenly see the world in ways he had never imagined. He saw the very fabric of the chamber, the lines of Aether flowing in currents through the air, connecting everything, everywhere. It was as if the universe itself was alive, breathing, and he could feel it, taste it, understand it.
But with that knowledge came a flood of intensity, a pressure so great that Erik staggered, clutching his head in agony.
"You have received the Mark of the Transmigrant." The Archivist's voice rang out, detached from the chaos Erik felt. "You are now part of this world's System. Use the Aether wisely, or it will consume you."
End of Chapter 1