Opening my eyes again revealed much of the same darkness as before. My brain was foggy trying to figure out what had really happened over the course of the night. I raised my shaky hand just now realizing how cold it was, to wipe the dried drool off of my face. Thinking I've must have been unconscious for quite some time. Thats when I became aware of small shimmering lights in the far distance. They looked like faintly visible stars. Gazing out towards them to get a better sense of what they were, I noticed another oddity; something was traveling towards me at an alarming rate. Whatever it was shimmered the same way the lights had, but this object seemed much, much closer. My body felt a great weight put on it as if something was crushing down on me. Trying my best to focus in on it, I suddenly lost all vision when her voice erupted through in my mind like a thunderclap reverberating through every nerve and bone.

"Who dares trifle with matters so far above them and disrupt the balance of the great system?" The voice demanded. Trying my best to come up with a response but also being so clueless and afraid. My head was pounding in pain from the mysterious onslaught that this being had caused. Trembling I let out the smallest of whimpers. "Ah, this all must be new to you as I see you are not a system bound life form. Perhaps a change of scenery will get some answers out of you." Without any further warning a wave if nausea washed over me as a bright warm light enveloped my body.

Fighting against the brightness of the light I raised my hand instinctually while opening my eyes. What I saw before me was still very much shocking. I felt the warmth of a sun, finally getting some feeling back over my shaky body. Observing my surroundings I was in awe, towers made completely of threads reaching out to one another. Attaching themselves to nearby floating orbs that would ever so slowly shift back and forth between them. The floor I was standing on seemed to be made out of some malleable reflective glass bouncing reflections from everywhere. It was a little overwhelming as the threads seemed to constantly launch themselves around the space.

At the center of it all stood a figure, radiant and commanding, exuding an aura of authority so profound it seemed to resonate in my chest. She was unlike anything I had ever seen—a towering being whose form constantly shifted; her shimmering robe woven from the same threads that filled the space around her. Her face was indistinct, as if the universe itself refused to pin it down, but her piercing eyes burned with an intensity that left no room for doubt.

"Welcome," she said, her voice now calm but laced with an unshakable power. "You stand in the Loom of Realms, where the threads of every universe intersect. I am Nexa, Goddess of Dimensional Weaving. And you, Liam Thompson, have crossed into my domain unbidden."

Her words hit me like a freight train. I stared, mouth agape, unsure whether to run, kneel, or simply collapse. I stood frozen, barely breathing as Nexa's piercing gaze bore into me. The threads around us pulsed faintly, almost as though they were alive, responding to her presence. Her voice, though steady, carried the weight of eons, each word reverberating through the shimmering expanse of the Loom.

"You are an anomaly, Liam Thompson," she began, her tone neither angry nor welcoming, but entirely certain. "A being untethered by the System, yet you stand here, in the very heart of its design." She gestured outward, her hand tracing the spiraling threads that stretched endlessly around us. "This is the Loom of Realms, the nexus where all dimensions are woven together, strand by strand. Every reality, every universe, is interconnected here. I oversee these threads—maintaining balance, ensuring order. Yet your presence disrupts that harmony."

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. "I... I didn't mean to disrupt anything. I don't even know how I got here!" Nexa tilted her head, her expression unreadable, but her eyes burned with an unyielding light. "You used an artifact that does not belong—a crude creation that bypasses the safeguards of the System. A teleportation coin. Tell me, mortal, where did you come across such a thing?" The coin. The memory hit me like a jolt. "I—I picked it up. It was dropped... by someone else."

Her expression darkened, the threads around us vibrating with sudden intensity. "Ah, the meddling of those outside the System's boundaries. The gnome who forged that coin has tampered with forces far beyond his understanding. His actions brought you here, inadvertently exposing you to truths you were never meant to encounter." My stomach churned, the weight of her words sinking in. "If I don't belong here, can't you just... send me back? Put me back on Earth, like none of this ever happened?"

Her gaze softened, but only slightly. "If it were that simple, I would have already done so. The coin has altered your very essence, tethering you faintly to this place and severing your clean connection to your original realm. You are, for lack of a better term, an unsanctioned thread hanging loose in the tapestry of existence. To return you without care risks unraveling far more than just your life."

I stumbled back a step, my legs threatening to give out. "So, what happens to me now?"

Nexa sighed, and for the first time, I detected a hint of something almost human in her. "That depends on you. The System does not tolerate anomalies, and yet you are here. Your survival so far is testament to a resilience I did not expect. You have two choices, mortal."

She raised a hand, and two threads unfurled from the void, each glowing with a distinct hue one a fiery red, the other a cool, shimmering blue.

"You may accept integration into the System, becoming one of its chosen Descenders a guardian who ventures across realms to maintain balance and order. Or..." Her gaze darkened, her voice dropping to a whisper that carried immense gravity. "You may refuse, and the System will erase you. A loose thread cannot remain unaccounted for."

"Well, that seems like an easy choice for me. I prefer living over being... "unaccounted" for."

I couldn't really see it, but I knew she was smiling. "That is great news. As far as the concerning news with Bram goes. He will be accompanying you as well. Without the option you were given, his thread is already tied to the system, granted at a very miniscule level." With that she touched the two ends of the blue and red thread together and they became one.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

What I failed to notice was the fierce red thread was connected to the closest tower already. I had assumed she would have connected the blue thread to the tower, and I would then be system integrated. "Judging by your look you are confused. You and Bram are now intertwined on a path to set things right. Your first task will be to find the missing teleportation tokens Bram left scattered across the multiverse. If these fall into the wrong hands matters will get much worse. Good luck Liam and make haste Descender." With that darkness consumed me.

------

I awoke sometime later on what could only have been a beach—not that I could see it, but I could feel it, sand sticking to places I didn't think possible. Groaning, I pushed myself upright and immediately started shaking off the grit, only to realize one horrifying fact: I was completely naked.

My face turned beet red as I scanned the area, nearly giving myself whiplash. No one was around to witness my lack of modesty, but the thought still sent me sprinting toward the nearby tree line. Just as I was about to duck behind the foliage, a transparent blue screen popped up in front of me, stopping me dead in my tracks.

Welcome to the system

Below you will find your status menu filled with an important overview about yourself. With further prodding you will find additional menus that will help along your journey.

Name: Liam Thompson

Race: Human (Earth Variant: Humans are known for their physical and mental capabilities which make them a well-rounded race. +5 stats per level increase.)

Class: (Class choice will unlock at level 5 taking into account all actions performed up until level 5 in what stat choices the individual had made.)

Titles: Descender (+5 to all stats)

Experience: 0 of 250 exp to next level

Renown: N/A

Achievements: N/A

Skills: N/A

Stats: Health: 20 (Con x2) / Stamina: 20 (Dex x2)/ Mana: 20 (Intel x2)

Strength 5 (+5) 10

Dexterity 5 (+5) 10

Constitution 5 (+5) 10

Endurance 5 (+5) 10

Intelligence 5 (+5) 10

Wisdom 5 (+5) 10

Charisma 5 (+5) 10

Eyeing the screen cautiously I thought back to times when I had played games with my friends. More specifically, MMORPGS. This was exactly how a stats screen was in those games. Finding it here made me weary and cautious, but also slightly intrigued. This was my chance to escape from the mundane life I had been living though. Was it all a little overwhelming? Sure. Was I excited for this opportunity and see where it led? Hell yeah. Continuing on and reading the rest of the screen, a huge grin broke over my face.

Descender Liam,

Upon receiving this system message, you will have been granted access to the following rewards:

1x System created armor loot box

1x System created weapon loot box

500x System currency

May these help you with the fight against those that dare rise up against the system.

Armor and weapons? My mind raced at the possibilities. What would I find in those loot boxes? Something Legendary or epic, I hoped. Or was this system about to hand me a tin helmet and a stick? Looking around I didn't see any loot boxes, so I focused in on the text again.

"Would you like to access this armor box? Yes/No"

Mentally confirming, a wooden box with a metal latch appeared right in front of me. Eager with anticipation I threw the chest lid open. What I saw was definitely made from leather or at least something similar to it. It was a dark brown leaning towards black. I reached in and pulled it up by the shoulders revealing that it was some type of leather jerkin. Reminding me of the Greco-Roman era. Looking closer another blue transparent system box appeared.

Descenders Leather Jerkin

Rarity: Common

Armor rating +10

(A leather jerkin made from the hide of some intergalactic beast, commonly worn by billions in the multiverse. The only special thing about this piece is it's a little darker and the word Descender appears in the title.)

Scoffing at the description "Who the hell is in charge of describing items?" I thought to myself. Not caring all that much about the description anymore I pulled it on. Surprised that the armor actually fit snuggly. It had looked a size too big for me, probably some weird system size adjustment for items. Content with the results I opened up the status menu easily just with a thought. I summoned the weapon chest to see what I had to work with. Thoughts of great swords with fire enchantments and bows with mana infused arrows filled my mind. Reminding me of the great RPG games I play back home.

The chest that appeared seemed to be sloppily half assed put together. That was just the look on the outside. My hopes of receiving some master class weapons were instantly dashed. The "chest" if you could call it that had half driven nails sticking out of it. Made out of what had to be half rotten wooden pallets. If it could have gotten any worse the word "Decendor" was hastily written on the top of it in what seemed to be chalk. With considerably less optimism, I flipped open the second crate. Inside was a single wooden club. Looking like something straight out of the flintstones. That was it. No blade, no bow, not even a pointy stick. Just a chunk of wood. I am not proud of the rage that filled my veins as I lashed out with my foot to strike the shotty box that stood in front of me. Forgetting in my rage fueled mind that I had no shoes on for any protection as a nail head tore through the middle of one of my toes.

"Vrrruuucccckkk" I yelled out in overwhelming pain hopping on my one good foot now. The rage not dying down yet as I threw both crates into the tree line and then picked up the club and tossed that too. Flying through the tree line it had hit a single palm tree, unbelievably shaking it enough to drop the coconuts on top of it. Making it seem like some sort of tropical jackpot. I hadn't even noticed the coconuts at this point.

"Holy crap." I whispered in that instant all rage died as I half limped hopped towards the tree to recover the club. For what seemed like an hour I scoured through the brush and fallen dried palm leaves. After a few more minutes of searching, my hand finally brushed against something familiar. Quickly clearing away the brush my trust club revealed itself. It was a good twenty feet away from the original tree it stuck. Hesitantly picking it up and inspecting it a message appeared.

Descenders Primitive Wooden Club

(Some would refer to this as a light branch good for a fire, but those that are more desperate would keep it as a weapon.)

Rarity: Common

Attack: +3-5 bludgeoning damage

+100% damage when used as a thrown weapon.