Nick woke up from a gentle breeze. His body felt strangely heavy, and something was clearly wrong. He squinted, looking at the bright light filtering through the tree crowns. What the hell? He had fallen asleep at his computer. No sounds of keyboard, mouse, or noisy system unit — only the forest, birdsong, and the soft rustle of leaves.

He sat up, feeling the armor crunch on his body. Armor? Nick touched his armor — the same one he had put on his character in the game Eternal Chronicles. His hand automatically slid to his belt, where a sword hung, shining as if recently sharpened.

"Am I... in the game?" — flashed through his mind. Nick quickly got to his feet, looking around. He was surrounded by a forest, exactly like the one in the game. Stepping on the soft ground, he felt his boots sink slightly into the soil. This didn't feel like a virtual world. This was a real, tangible forest.

"Well... it can't be!" Nick chuckled, trying to come to his senses. He carefully pulled on the sword's hilt and drew it from its scabbard. The sword clinked, and it was so real that for a moment he froze. The blade gleamed in the sun. Nick ran his hand over the smooth surface of the metal and felt the cold of steel.

"This... is not a dream," he said aloud to himself. "I'm really here."

His heart began to beat faster. He loved Eternal Chronicles, and couldn't have dreamed of being in this world. But why? How? There were no answers to all the questions yet, but Nick knew one thing for sure — this was his chance. A chance to become what he always wanted to be — a hero in the world of his favorite game.

He hadn't taken ten steps when heavy footsteps were heard from behind the trees. The forest around him came alive with sounds. Nick tensed, preparing to meet the enemy. And the enemy didn't keep him waiting.

A huge orc emerged from the thicket. Its skin was greenish, its eyes gleamed with malice, and in its hand, it held a massive club. This wasn't an ordinary NPC orc that Nick had encountered in the game before. This orc breathed, moved, and looked so real that Nick's heart momentarily clenched with fear.

"Are you human?" the orc growled. "Then prepare to die!"

Nick instinctively raised his sword, but his hands were shaking. Before, this was just code, a set of pixels that could be easily defeated. But now, a real monster capable of killing him stood before him.

But then he remembered who he was here. He was Kane, the game's hero, a warrior who feared nothing. Nick took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Well, come on, let's try!" he shouted, feeling adrenaline coursing through his veins.

The orc roared and rushed at Nick.

Time seemed to slow down. Nick saw the orc's huge club describing an arc in the air, heading straight for his head. Instincts honed by years of gaming took over. He ducked, feeling the air whistle over his head, and made a lunge with his sword.

The blade entered the orc's side, and it roared in pain. Nick jumped back, barely managing to dodge the return blow. Blood pounded in his temples, adrenaline surged through his veins. This was nothing like the game — here, every movement, every blow could be the last.

"You're fast, little human," the orc growled, pressing his hand to the wound. "But I'm stronger!"

He rushed forward again, swinging the club. Nick parried the blow with his sword, but the force of the attack was such that his hands trembled. He realized that he couldn't win in a direct confrontation — he needed to use agility and speed.

Dodging another blow, Nick noticed a fallen tree behind the orc. A plan formed instantly. He made a feint and jumped back, forcing the opponent to move after him.

"What, scared?" the orc mockingly rumbled, taking a step forward.

Nick continued to retreat until the orc had his back to the fallen tree. At that moment, he suddenly rushed forward, diving under the club's blow. The orc, not expecting this, lost his balance and stumbled over the tree trunk. Nick didn't miss the moment — his sword described a shining arc and plunged right into the opponent's chest.

The orc let out a hoarse breath and collapsed to the ground. Nick stood over him, breathing heavily, still gripping the sword's hilt. Only now did it hit him — he had just killed a living creature. Not a virtual opponent, but a real orc of flesh and blood.

"I... I did it," he whispered, looking at his trembling hands.

Suddenly, the air around him lit up, and a translucent message appeared before his eyes:

[Congratulations! You have defeated the Forest Orc. Experience +100. Level up!]

Nick blinked, not believing his eyes. It was exactly the same message he had seen in the game. But how was this possible in the real world?

He looked around, trying to find an explanation for what was happening, but the forest around him remained just as real and tangible. Nick realized that he had found himself in a strange hybrid of reality and game, where the laws of both worlds intertwined in the most incredible way.

"Okay, need to pull myself together," he said to himself. "If this is really the world of 'Eternal Chronicles', then I know what to do next. I need to find the nearest village and find out what's going on here."

With these words, Nick wiped his sword on the grass, sheathed it, and moved deeper into the forest. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he was determined to unravel the mystery of his appearance in this world and find a way to return home. And for now... for now, he was going to enjoy the adventure he had always dreamed of.

The forest was getting denser, and Nick began to notice that the surrounding world was slightly different from what he remembered from the game. The trees seemed more alive, their foliage rustling at the slightest breeze. He heard birds singing and insects buzzing — sounds that were never in the game.

Suddenly Nick heard a scream. A woman's voice, full of despair, came from somewhere to the right. Without thinking, he rushed to help.

Running out into a small clearing, he saw a young girl surrounded by three goblins. Her clothes were torn, and in her hands, she clutched a small dagger, desperately trying to defend herself.

"Hey, freaks!" Nick shouted, drawing his sword. "Leave her alone!"

The goblins turned, and their eyes lit up with malice. One of them, apparently the leader, grinned:

"Look at that, another human decided to play hero. Guys, let's show him how we greet uninvited guests!"

Two goblins rushed at Nick, swinging curved sabers. He barely managed to deflect the first blow when the second goblin attacked him from the side. The blade cut through the air inches from his face.

"Damn, this isn't a game!" — flashed through Nick's mind. — "There's no auto-aim or hints here. Need to act fast!"

He made a lunge, piercing one of the goblins. It fell to the ground with a squeal. The second goblin, seeing this, hesitated for a moment, and Nick took advantage of this, delivering a powerful blow. The goblin flew to the side and didn't get up again.

The goblin leader roared with rage:

"You'll pay for this, human!"

He rushed at Nick with incredible speed. Their swords clashed, sparking. Nick felt his hands tremble from the force of the opponent's blows. The goblin was an experienced fighter, and Nick realized that he couldn't win in a fair duel.

Suddenly he remembered one of the techniques he had learned in the game. It was a risky maneuver, but there was no other way out. Nick pretended to lose his balance, and the goblin, sensing an easy victory, rushed forward. At the last moment, Nick spun in place, dodging the blow, and his sword described an arc, cutting off the goblin's head.

Silence fell. Nick, breathing heavily, surveyed the clearing. Three goblin bodies lay on the ground, and the girl looked at him with eyes wide with surprise.

"You... you saved me," she whispered. "Thank you, brave warrior."

Nick felt color flooding his face. He never thought he would hear such words addressed to him.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"No need to thank me," he replied, trying to sound confident. "What's your name? And what are you doing alone in the forest?"

The girl got to her feet, brushing off her clothes.

"My name is Eniella. I was gathering herbs for our village when these goblins attacked me. They appeared as if out of nowhere! There have never been goblins in these forests before..."

Nick frowned. He also remembered that in the game, there shouldn't be goblins in this location. Something was definitely wrong.

"Eniella, have you noticed anything strange lately? Maybe unusual phenomena or changes in animal behavior?"

The girl thought for a moment, then nodded:

"Yes, now that you ask... In recent days, strange things have been happening in our village. People disappear and then return, but they behave... differently. And the forest... it's as if it's changing. Trees grow where they weren't before, and some paths just disappear."

Nick felt a chill run down his spine. It seemed that his appearance in this world was connected to something much more serious than he thought.

"Eniella, can you take me to your village? I need to talk to your elder."

The girl nodded:

"Of course, follow me. But... who are you? I've never seen you before."

Nick thought for a moment. Should he tell the truth? Deciding that honesty was the best policy, he replied:

"My name is Nick. And I have a suspicion that I'm not from this world. But I'm here to help. And it seems your village is exactly where I need to start."

Eniella looked at him in surprise but said nothing. Together they moved along the forest path, heading towards the village. Nick felt that his adventure was just beginning, and even more serious trials awaited him ahead.

Along the way, Nick asked Eniella about the village and its inhabitants. The girl willingly told him, and with each word, Nick became more convinced that the game world had changed greatly.

"What about the Dark Tower?" he asked, remembering one of the key elements of the game's plot. "Is it still standing in the north?"

Eniella frowned:

"Dark Tower? I've never heard of such a thing. In the north, we only have the Misty Mountains, but no one goes there. They say strange creatures come from there."

Nick felt his heart beat faster. The Dark Tower was the main stronghold of evil in the game, the final location that every player strived for. If it wasn't there... what else had changed in this world?

Soon they came to the village. Nick expected to see a typical fantasy settlement, but reality surprised him again. The village looked... ordinary. Simple wooden houses, vegetable gardens, a well in the center. No elven arches or dwarven forges.

"Welcome to Willow Creek," said Eniella. "Come, I'll take you to the elder."

They walked down the main street, and Nick noticed how the locals looked at him with curiosity and some wariness. He realized that his armor and weapons looked alien here.

The elder's house was no different from the others, except that it was slightly larger. Eniella knocked on the door, and a moment later a gray-haired man with kind but tired eyes appeared on the threshold.

"Eniella? You're back! And who's this with you?" he asked, carefully examining Nick.

"Hello, respected elder," Nick began, trying to speak confidently. "My name is Nick, and I have important news and questions for you."

The elder was silent for a few seconds, as if evaluating Nick, and then nodded:

"Well, come in. It seems we have something to talk about."

Inside, the house was cozy and simple. They sat down at a wooden table, and the elder offered them herbal tea. Nick, gathering his thoughts, began to tell his story, trying not to miss important details, but also not to overload the listeners with information about the real world.

When he finished, silence fell in the room. Eniella looked at him with a mixture of surprise and disbelief, while the elder thoughtfully stroked his beard.

"Your story... is incredible," the elder finally said. "But in light of recent events, I'm inclined to believe you. Our world is indeed changing, and not for the better."

"What exactly is happening?" Nick asked.

The elder sighed heavily:

"It started about a month ago. At first, the changes were barely noticeable — strange sounds in the forest, unusual animal behavior. Then people started disappearing. They would return after a few days, but... changed. As if they were no longer themselves."

"And what about the surrounding world?" Nick remembered Eniella's words about disappearing paths.

"The landscape is changing too. New mountains appear, rivers change course. And then these creatures..." the elder fell silent, as if hesitating to continue.

"What creatures?" Nick leaned forward.

"We call them Shadows. They come at night, formless and dark. They don't attack, they just... observe. But after their appearance, something always changes."

Nick felt a chill run down his spine. He began to understand that his appearance in this world was not accidental. Something or someone was changing the reality of the game, and he, perhaps, was called to stop it.

"I want to help," Nick said firmly. "What can I do?"

The elder looked at him intently:

"There is one place... An ancient temple in the mountains. Legends say that answers to all questions are stored there. But the path there is dangerous, and none of our people have risked going there."

Nick nodded:

"I'll go. But I'll need a guide and equipment."

"I'll go with you!" Eniella suddenly exclaimed. "I know these forests better than anyone."

The elder frowned, but then nodded:

"Alright. You'll set out at dawn. Now rest, you'll need your strength."

When Nick lay down to sleep in the room provided to him, his thoughts were far away. He thought about what lay ahead, about the mysterious Shadows, and how much the world of his favorite game had changed. One thing he knew for sure — this adventure would be far more dangerous and exciting than any computer game.

Morning came too quickly. Nick woke up to the sound of a rooster crowing and for a moment was confused, not understanding where he was. Then the memories flooded back to him, and he sat up sharply in bed. All this wasn't a dream — he really was in the world of Eternal Chronicles.

Quickly dressing and checking his equipment, Nick left the room. Eniella was already waiting for him in the yard, ready for the journey. She wore comfortable leather clothes, had a small backpack on her back, and a dagger hung at her belt.

"Good morning," she smiled. "Ready for adventure?"

Nick nodded, feeling adrenaline starting to surge through his blood.

"More than ready. Where are we heading?"

"The ancient temple is in the Misty Mountains," Eniella replied, pointing north. "The journey is not short and dangerous. It will take us several days to get there."

The elder approached them, holding a scroll in his hands.

"Here, take this," he said, handing it to Nick. "This is an ancient map of our land. It will help you find your way to the temple. But be careful — the world is changing, and not everything on this map may correspond to reality."

Nick unrolled the scroll and saw a detailed map of the area. He immediately recognized some locations from the game, but much was unfamiliar to him.

"Thank you," he said, carefully rolling up the map and putting it in his bag. "We'll do everything possible to solve this mystery and help your village."

The elder nodded:

"May the gods protect you. And remember — not everything in this world is what it seems. Trust your instincts."

With these words, Nick and Eniella left the village, heading towards the Misty Mountains. The first hours of the journey passed calmly. They walked along a forest path, and Eniella told Nick about local legends and customs.

Suddenly Nick stopped, feeling something strange. The air around them seemed to thicken, and the sounds of the forest fell silent.

"Something's wrong," he whispered, instinctively grabbing the hilt of his sword.

Eniella tensed, looking around.

"I feel it too. It's as if..." she didn't finish her sentence.

From behind the trees appeared a dark, formless mass. It moved slowly but inexorably towards them. Nick realized — these were the Shadows the elder had spoken about.

"Don't move," he said quietly to Eniella. "Let's see what they'll do."

The Shadow approached them, hovering in the air a few meters away. Nick felt a chill run through his body. It seemed that reality itself around them began to distort.

Suddenly, a strange voice sounded in Nick's head, like a whisper of the wind:

"You are not from here. You are disturbing the balance. Leave, before it's too late."

Nick clenched his teeth

"Who are you?" he asked aloud. "What's happening to this world?"

The Shadow wavered, as if from a gust of wind.

"We are the guardians. We maintain the balance. Your presence here is a mistake. You must return to your world."

"But I don't know how to do that!" Nick exclaimed. "And I won't leave until I understand what's going on here and how to stop it."

The Shadow froze for a moment, then began to dissolve into the air.

"Then you have chosen your own fate. The path to truth lies through trials. Prepare yourself, stranger."

With these words, the Shadow disappeared, and the sounds of the forest returned, as if nothing had happened. Nick turned to Eniella, who stood pale and trembling.

"You... you talked to it?" she whispered.

Nick nodded:

"Yes. And it seems our journey will be even more dangerous than we thought."

He told Eniella about the conversation with the Shadow. The girl listened attentively, then said resolutely:

"Whatever happens, we must continue our journey. If these Shadows are somehow connected to the changes in our world, then the temple might be our only chance to fix everything."

Nick nodded in agreement. They moved on, now more alert and ready for any surprises. A long journey to the Misty Mountains awaited them ahead, and Nick felt that this was only the beginning of his real trials in this strange and dangerous world.

The sun slowly sank towards the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. Nick and Eniella decided to make camp in a small clearing surrounded by tall trees.

"We'll be relatively safe here," said Eniella, gathering firewood. "But we need to stay alert. The forest comes alive at night."

Nick nodded, helping her light the fire. When the flames crackled merrily, he took out the map the elder had given them from his backpack.

"Let's see where we are," he suggested.

Eniella sat closer, and they bent over the map. Suddenly the girl gasped.

"What is it?" Nick asked.

"Look!" Eniella pointed to a section of the map. "This mountain wasn't here when we left the village!"

Nick looked closer. Indeed, an image of a mountain had appeared on the map where there had been a plain before.

"How is this possible?" he whispered.

"The world is changing," Eniella replied quietly. "And it seems the changes are happening faster than we thought."

Suddenly, the forest around them plunged into an unnatural silence. Nick felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He slowly raised his eyes from the map and froze.

At the edge of the clearing, just beyond the light from the fire, stood a figure. Tall, wrapped in a dark cloak, it didn't move and seemed not to breathe. The hood concealed its face, but Nick felt someone's intense gaze upon him.

"Eniella," he whispered, "don't move."

The girl slowly raised her head and also saw the figure. Her eyes widened with fear.

The figure took a step forward, entering the circle of light from the fire. Slowly raising its hand, it threw back the hood, and Nick felt his heart skip a beat.

Before them stood himself. An exact copy of Nick, but with cold, lifeless eyes.

"At last I've found you," the doppelganger said in a voice that sent chills down Nick's spine. "It's time to put everything back in its place."

With these words, the doppelganger stepped forward, and the world around began to blur, like a watercolor painting in the rain.