Darkness is the only thing I see. I can’t see my feet, hands, body, or even feel them. I struggle to open my eyes, but it’s useless since I don’t even know if they are actually closed. My thoughts revolve around the only thing I remember: going to sleep last night.

  But as time passes, new sensations reach me.

  I feel a strong nausea coming from the depths of my stomach, as if I had gone through a long and unsettling journey, along with a pounding headache that makes my thoughts foggy.

  After some time, which could have been hours or just seconds, I finally manage to open my eyes—slowly.

  The brightness of the sky fills my vision, and instinctively, I raise my arms to shield myself from the overwhelming light. As I sit up and glance around, I realize I’m in a vast green plain, filled with blue flowers that I’ve never seen before in my life.

  Without a doubt, it’s a breathtaking sight, capable of uplifting even the most hopeless soul.

  As I take in the magnificent scenery, I notice that a young man with curly brown hair has fallen a few meters ahead of me. Without hesitation, I stand up and walk toward him.

  As I get closer, I’m startled—not because he is a stranger, but because of the opposite. In front of me lies Axel, a childhood friend whom I wouldn’t hesitate to call a brother.

  I stare at him for a moment. If he’s experiencing the same thing I did, his mind must still be full of thoughts. Even if I tried to wake him, it probably wouldn’t work…

  But apparently, he isn’t sharing any of my unsettling feelings. He sleeps peacefully and serenely, even smiling at times.

  This goes on for a while until I grow impatient and shake him to wake up.

  He rolls to the side, turning his back to me, as if telling his mother to let him sleep a little longer. But I keep shaking him.

  After a few seconds, he finally seems fully awake and glances over his shoulder at me. Then, as if his brain suddenly clicks back into place, he instinctively jerks away.

  —Dante?? W-what? Where are we?— He quickly looks around, his face filled with unease, but a few seconds later, his expression completely relaxes after looking up.

  —I thought you might know something, that’s why I woke you up— I reply.

  —Ah, I remember playing games and then going to sleep, but that’s all I recall— he says, rubbing his chin as he slowly sits up.

  —I remember the same thing—just playing with you and the other two before heading to bed. But when I woke up, I was already here.

  —That’s strange... Looks like we’re in an isekai, then.— Axel says excitedly, though without any actual surprise in his voice, as if stating the most obvious fact in the world.

  —Dude, stop talking nonsense. Do you really think something like this would actually happen?— I question, baffled at how such an absurd statement could come from someone so rational.

  —Of course. Don’t tell me you haven’t looked up yet?—

  Look up...? What is he talking about?

  In response to his words, I tilt my head back, searching the sky for anything that might justify his claim. The glaring sun above makes it impossible to see anything he might be referring to—

  The sun…

  Or rather…

  The suns are an unsettling sight, serving as a celestial decree that we are no longer in our world.

  My face is frozen in shock, my jaw dropped in disbelief. When I glance at Axel, he simply stands up, dusting off his clothes while looking around. Then, with a smile, he takes in the view.

  —Ah… Wow, what a nice breeze...— He closes his eyes, enjoying the gentle wind against his face.

  —But the smell isn’t the best, I have to admit.— He says while rubbing his nose.

  —Smell?— I ask, confused.

  Paying closer attention, he’s absolutely right. The scent in the air is far from what one would expect from such a lush and flowery field.

  With some effort, I manage to pinpoint the source of the foul odor.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  —I think it’s coming from just beyond that hill.— I say, pointing at a nearby hill that blocks our view of the rest of the landscape.

  Without hesitation, Axel starts walking toward it.

  It only takes a few seconds to reach the base, and with minimal effort, we climb the gentle slope.

  Once at the top, we immediately understand where the burning smell is coming from—a place that once seemed to be a small village, now reduced to nothing but ruins and dying embers.

  We exchange silent glances, waiting for the unspoken confirmation from one another before making our decision. We nod in agreement and descend toward the site.

  The scent, which was somewhat muted by the hill, now surrounds us completely. It seems like whatever happened here was recent.

  We walk among the wreckage, taking in the surroundings—or at least, what’s left of them.

  —I think we should split up. If there’s anyone still around, we’ll cover more ground this way, and maybe we’ll find something useful.— I nod in agreement and head left, while Axel goes right.

  The ruins radiate a deep sense of melancholy, which I can feel clearly. The thought that, just days ago, these streets might have been filled with running children, chatting adults, and elderly folks knitting makes the place feel unbearably heavy. For some reason, I feel a deep sorrow in being here—almost like nostalgia, even though I’m certain I’ve never been here before.

  As I continue walking, I notice something strange—there are no corpses. Maybe this was an abandoned town? Or perhaps the bodies were burned to ashes.

  In my search, I come across a house that, despite being mostly in ruins, still has a few walls standing.

  Stepping through what remains of the doorway, I quickly realize this was likely a blacksmith’s house. Scattered tools on the floor make it clear—this fire didn’t have the intensity to melt metal.

  Hammerheads scorched by the flames and a large anvil all but scream *medieval setting.* The kind of anvil I had only ever seen in video games or fantasy anime.

  As I scan the room, my eyes fall on something—a sword lying next to a fallen pillar. This was undeniable proof that we were in a medieval world, one with real threats.

  I pick up the sword. Its blade is slightly blackened from the fire, but that actually gives it a certain charm.

  Nearby, I find a large axe—one of those massive war axes. Expecting it to be heavy, I prepare to lift it with both hands, but it turns out to be surprisingly light, nearly making me fall over from the force I had braced myself with.

  A decent sword for me, and an axe for Axel—definitely good finds.

  I walk back to our meeting point, taking a final look around.

  There doesn’t seem to be a single spot where the fire originated. No suspicious marks anywhere. Maybe lightning struck the village a few days ago.

  When I reach our meeting point, I see Axel returning in a hurry.

  —Did you find anyone?— I ask.

  —Nope. Which is actually good. It looks like the village was abandoned or something. But I found some stuff for us!—

  He tosses me a piece of fabric, and as I unfold it, I realize it’s a hooded cloak.

  —Don’t worry, it doesn’t smell rotten or anything, so no one probably died in it. *Probably.*— Axel emphasizes that last part.

  —Ah, thanks, bro!— I say, putting on the cloak. It isn’t very large, lacking sleeves but reaching the end of my back.

  —Dude, you look badass! Hehe—

  I grin, excited.

  —Oh, I also found this for you.— I say, handing Axel the large axe.

  —Thanks, man!— He says, thrilled.

  He grips the axe with both hands but quickly notices how light it is.

  —Is this really for combat? It’s so light...—

  —Maybe just for intimidation? It seems perfect for that.—

  —Yeah, you’re probably right. But thanks anyway!—

  I smile and ask:

  —You said you found stuff for us, but so far, you’ve only shown me the cloak. What did you get for yourself?—

  —Hehehe, my young grasshopper...— He says, attempting a menacing laugh that utterly fails.

  —Behold… My very first magic tome!!!— Axel nearly shouts in excitement.

  In his hands was a black-covered book. I can't say for sure if it was just a little burned or if it was actually meant to look like that. Its cover was wrinkled, as if it were an old book—abnormally old.

  — Magical?? Does it have some kind of spell in it? — I ask in surprise.

  — No idea! Honestly, I don’t recognize this language, and these characters I've only seen in made-up languages by people trying to seem different. I've literally never seen anything like this. — He explains while flipping through the book for me.

  — Then how do you know it's magical? — I ask with a mocking look.

  — It has to be! Think about it: a strange language, a bizarre cover, and completely intact even after a fire. This screams "grimoire"!

  The more he talked about crazy and strange things, the more I agreed with him. I wonder which of us should actually be called the weird one.

  Surrounded by a destroyed and twisted landscape, a man sits atop a rock, observing the environment that apparently used to be a city long ago.

  His eyes reveal the exhaustion weighing on him, emphasized by the deep dark circles beneath them.

  Slowly and reluctantly, he pulls a small recorder from the pocket of his beige overcoat, turns it on, and speaks in a dragging voice:

  — Attempt number 265,949... another failure. Maybe it's time for me to give up... no, I've come too far for that. —