Chapter 1: Meet Gray
The wind howled through the barren, dust-swept plains of Feltharis, the sun hanging low in the sky, casting an orange glow over the horizon. A solitary figure trudged across the rugged land, his silhouette small against the vastness of the world. Gray had always been a wanderer. A man of few words, drifting from one place to another, never staying too long in any one spot.
Gray was not his real name—he had long since forgotten his true identity. In this world of swords and magic, where kingdoms and empires waged wars over resources and power, names often meant little. What mattered most were deeds, strength, and the ability to survive.
His ragged cloak flapped in the wind, the fabric frayed from years of wear. He carried a sword at his side, a weapon that had seen many battles, though it had never known true glory. His face was weathered, but handsome in an unremarkable way, with sharp eyes that always seemed to be watching, observing the world without truly being part of it. His short, sliver hair was unkempt, and his clothes—once fine—had seen better days.
As he walked, Gray's thoughts wandered back to how he had ended up here—back to that fateful day when everything changed.
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Flashback, 5 years ago...
Gray had been just another man from Earth, living a normal, uneventful life. He worked a simple office job in the city, his routine so dull that even he had trouble remembering the last time he had felt anything other than exhausted. But that all changed one fateful night.
It had been a stormy evening, the kind where the clouds seemed to threaten something more than rain. Gray had been walking home after a late shift when he heard a strange noise—like a crack in the air itself. A flash of light blinded him, and before he could react, the ground beneath his feet gave way. He fell, deep into the darkness, tumbling through what felt like an endless void.
When he awoke, he was no longer on Earth.
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Gray had found himself in the middle of a dense forest, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. The sky was a strange shade of violet, with two moons hanging above. It was beautiful and otherworldly, but at the same time, utterly terrifying.
He had wandered through the forest for days, trying to make sense of the new world around him. The trees were unlike any he had ever seen, towering and twisted, their roots stretching far into the ground. Strange creatures lurked in the shadows, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light.
Gray had learned quickly that this world was not kind to the unprepared.
After what seemed like weeks of wandering, he had stumbled upon the kingdom of Eldoria—a massive, sprawling city built on the banks of a great river. It was here that Gray had first encountered the people of this world, and it was here that he had begun to understand his place in this strange new reality.
Eldoria was a city of wealth and power, where magic was a common part of daily life. The people of Eldoria had long since abandoned the old ways of life and embraced the magic that permeated every aspect of their society. Mages, wizards, and sorcerers were revered, while those without the gift were often treated as second-class citizens.
At first, Gray had struggled to survive in the city. He had no skills, no knowledge of magic, and no way of earning a living. But over time, he had adapted, learning to fight, to survive, and—eventually—to thrive.
He had joined the mercenaries, a loose band of soldiers for hire, who took on any job for the right price. It was a dangerous life, but it was one he could understand. Gray had made a name for himself as a skilled fighter, earning respect and a modest income.
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Back to Present...
As Gray walked across the plains of Feltharis, his thoughts drifted back to his current mission. He had been hired by a noble house to retrieve a rare artifact—an ancient relic said to hold the key to unlocking untold power. The job seemed simple enough: travel to the ancient ruins of Verilith, a long-abandoned city, and recover the artifact.
However, as Gray had learned in this world, nothing was ever as simple as it seemed.
The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the land, and Gray could feel the weight of the mission pressing on him. He had heard rumors about the ruins—whispers of dark magic and ancient traps. It was said that the city had once been home to a powerful sorcerer, a man whose ambitions had led to his downfall. Now, the city lay in ruins, a cursed place where few dared to venture.
Gray had no illusions about the danger he faced, but he had always thrived in adversity. He was a survivor, and he would see this job through, no matter the cost.
As he neared the ruins, Gray’s senses tingled with the unmistakable feeling of being watched. He glanced around, but the vast plains stretched out before him, empty and silent. There was no sign of life, yet something felt off.
His hand instinctively rested on the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the horizon. He was no stranger to danger, but he knew that when it came to ancient ruins, the greatest threats were often the ones you couldn’t see.
He pressed on, the weight of the mission heavy on his shoulders. The ruins were close now, their jagged spires visible in the distance. As he approached, Gray couldn't shake the feeling that this would be no ordinary job—that this relic he sought would lead him down a path that would change his life forever.
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The ruins of Verilith loomed ahead, a city of stone and forgotten power. As Gray stepped into the shadow of the towering walls, he felt a chill in the air, a sense of foreboding that seemed to seep into his bones. The silence was oppressive, the stillness unna
tural.
The adventure was only beginning.
End of Chapter 1