The first memory was one of utter darkness. He was unsure of his location. Neither light nor sound offered clues as to whether he was indoors or under an open sky. There was no indication of his whereabouts. A scream tore from his throat, yet the void devoured its echo. What am I doing in this place?
He raised his hands to his eyes, but they remained invisible in the gloom. He understood blindness, yet he was certain this wasn’t it. He had no recollection of arriving here. He sensed he was upright, yet which way was up or down eluded him. He took one step. Then another. Still nothing. Did I even move?
He stamped his feet on the ground. The surface was a mystery. His steps were soundless, but he knew he wasn’t deaf. He had heard his own voice mere moments before. Another scream, yet silence reigned. Where am I?
His fingers traced the contours of his face. Eyes, mouth, nose, ears—all present. He combed through his hair. It felt longer than expected, at least two lengths of his index finger. He examined his throat, then his torso. Arms, ribs, chest, spine—everything accounted for. His build was rather slim. Something was amiss as he checked further down. He examined his rear, hips, thighs. All seemed fine. Then a wave of anxiety crashed over him. In a panic, he verified the presence of the most essential part just below his belly. The one that no man could go without… Relief washed over him. It’s all there.
It was then he realised he was utterly naked. Heat flushed his cheeks. What if there are others around? Would they be naked too? Wait a minute, this is the wrong thing to worry about! What if they see me and I can’t see them? I should cover up somehow, but how would I do that? There’s nothing here!
One thought halted his panic. He wasn’t cold. Despite his nudity and the absence of sunlight, he felt warm. This wasn’t the time for idle thoughts. Breathing deeply, he continued to explore his body. Past his knees were his calves, then his feet, and then—he wobbled, nearly losing his balance. What the hell was that?
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When he tried to touch the ground beneath him, his fingers... continued. There was nothing there! He lifted his right foot, stomping again. Clearly, something supported him, but his probing fingers found nothing. It was as if he stood on air. He stepped back, reaching for the spot he’d just vacated. Nothing. He stepped forward. Hesitating briefly, he advanced. He began walking. Despite the ground beneath offering no assurance, it steadfastly supported him. Where do I go from here? Where is everyone?
He walked for what felt like ages, trying to recall his previous whereabouts, but his own name eluded him, casting a shadow of sadness. Though he lacked concrete memories to aid his escape, abstractions like memory and identity lingered in his mind. Lost in thought, his eyes detected a change—a hue on the horizon, or more precisely... a light!
His pace quickened, evolving into a run. Approaching the golden glow, he discerned details—a door, the source of the light. Closer inspection revealed it to be a wooden gate framed by stone, seemingly floating at knee height. Three unfamiliar symbols glowed, stirring a sense of recognition he couldn’t place. He cautiously swept his foot beneath the door. Again, nothing. Wait a minute.
He glanced down, finally seeing his own form. His skin, though bathed in golden light, was strikingly pale, unmarked by scars. A glance at his abdomen suggested something was amiss, yet its nature escaped him. He surveyed his surroundings—endless darkness, save for the gate. Not much of a choice.
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His hand reached for the gate, a wave of comforting warmth enveloping him instantly. The door was heavy, demanding his full strength to open it. As it yielded, an overwhelming light burst through, temporarily blinding him, yet he pressed on. Both feet crossed the threshold, fresh air filling his lungs. His eyes struggled to adjust to the new environment, and then the gate slammed shut behind him with a resounding clang.