[Narrator's POV]
Nestled deep within a mountainous forest, the sounds of wildlife harmonized with rays of sunlight that filtered gently through the towering canopies. The scene was one of breathtaking serenity and beauty. Yet, amid this peaceful tableau, a gathering of small woodland creatures stood huddled around an unconscious man. Their curiosity was palpable—for never before had such a being wandered into this secluded corner of the forest.
Groan
At the faintest sound of movement, the creatures scattered in a flurry of motion, retreating to the safety of nearby thickets. Still, they lingered within sight, compelled by an instinctive fascination to observe the awakening stranger.
[MC's POV]
As consciousness slowly returned, the harsh light piercing through the canopy assaulted my eyes, forcing them shut once more. Raising a hand to shield myself, I cautiously opened them again, gradually adjusting to the radiant glow and the unfamiliar surroundings.
The sheer majesty of the forest stole my breath—not merely in awe, but because the air itself felt startlingly pure. I allowed myself a brief moment to take it in, before reality reasserted itself. Brushing off the lingering haze, I rose to my feet, surveying the area with wary eyes.
It was then I noticed a package near the place where I had lain. Hoping it might offer some insight into my bewildering circumstances, I reached for it. Inside were three items: a sealed letter, a ring inscribed with curious symbols, and a compass etched with matching runes. I set aside the ring and compass for the time being and focused my attention on the letter.
Dear James Brown, your wish has been granted—
I paused, startled by the familiarity of the message.
[Flashback]
In my former life, I was consumed by a singular obsession: uncovering the mystical truths hidden within our world. I had always believed that magic once existed—and perhaps still did.
That belief took root during my childhood, on a night forever etched into memory. As I gazed out my bedroom window, I saw it—a colossal eye, staring back at me from the surface of the moon. And then, just as suddenly, it vanished.
My parents dismissed it as childish imagination, and with no reports or footage to corroborate my experience, the world moved on. But I never forgot what I saw.
Determined to prove the existence of the arcane, I devoted my life to studying ancient languages and mythologies. My passion eventually led to a doctorate in archaeology. Far from dimming, my curiosity burned ever brighter as professors shared tantalizing fragments of forgotten civilizations unearthed on their expeditions.
Driven by an insatiable hunger for the mystical, I traveled extensively—pursuing every lead, deciphering countless manuscripts and rituals. Most amounted to nothing but fanciful hoaxes or dead ends.
That is, until I discovered a forgotten temple deep within the Amazon rainforest, hidden beneath thick vegetation. Its location was revealed only after years of laboriously decoding a stone disc etched with a cryptic map.
The temple bore a striking resemblance to ancient Aztec architecture, yet it was eerily well-preserved. Within its walls, I uncovered inscriptions that spoke of an age when gods, aliens, and humans coexisted in a magical world—an age ended by a terrible cataclysm.
One passage, in particular, stirred my soul. It detailed a ritual said to grant a single wish. Believing that the era of magic had ended on Earth, I resolved to seek a world where it still thrived.
So, I performed the ritual.
The last thing I remember was a blinding meteor hurtling toward me—and then a brilliant explosion of white light.
[Flashback Ends]
You might be wondering:
What about your family? Why take such a drastic step?
My parents passed peacefully, having lived long and full lives. I was their only child. For forty-nine years, I had lived like a modern-day Indiana Jones—relentless, driven, solitary.
No spouse. No children. No lifelong companions. Only the mystic pursuit had filled the void.
Shaking free of these thoughts, I returned to the letter.
Dear James Brown,
Your wish has been granted. Since you failed to specify your destination, I took the liberty of enhancing your adventure. You've been placed within a particular universe in the DC multiverse, where the age of gods, demons, and magic remains vibrant and untamed.
Do try not to panic. Consider this your first lesson: be precise in your wishes. The demons here are particularly unforgiving.
As mentioned, there's no need to be alarmed. I've augmented your body, soul, and mind to better attune you to mana and its workings.
The ring contains a basic survival kit: nourishment, essentials, and beginner-level magical tools. It functions as a storage device.
The compass—also rune-inscribed—will guide you to your temporary shelter. It has additional features, which you'll need to discover on your own.
And the runes? No, they are not overpowered primordial glyphs from fantasy. But they are the real thing—foundational and useful, especially as you begin your journey into runic magic.
Hint: Enhance the rune craft on these items to unlock more of their capabilities. I've even hidden a surprise within the ring.
Lastly, I've synchronized your soul's frequency with this universe to keep you anchored. Otherwise, you'd have been promptly ejected into the void. Seriously—consider negotiating better terms next time.
Yours sincerely,
$%^$$^^&%^
My pulse quickened at the mention of runes. Who wouldn't be thrilled at the prospect of wielding runic magic straight from the pages of myth and fiction? Still, I reminded myself to be cautious—such power, even basic, would likely be complex beyond my current comprehension.
The part about nearly losing my soul to the void sobered me quickly. I inhaled deeply, steadying my thoughts.
So this was real.
I was inside a universe from the DC multiverse—until now, nothing more than a fictional setting in comics. The only explanation I could accept was the multiverse theory proposed by William James.
Ironically, I knew little about this era in DC's timeline. I'd always enjoyed the magic-centric stories but found myself frequently frustrated by the characters' irrational choices—though I understood they were written to entertain.
But now, I had become a character in this world.
A man who once risked everything to chase magic was now living in a realm where it was still alive.
There was no time to waste.
I tucked the letter and package into the ring and slipped it onto the middle finger of my left hand. Then, I lifted the compass, which was designed to hang like a pendant. The moment I held it, a subtle pulse of energy radiated from within.
I took another breath and spoke calmly.
"Lead me on a safe, yet swift path to my designated home."
The compass glowed with a tranquil emerald light, lifted slightly into the air, and pointed steadily in a singular direction.
[Narrator's POV]
And thus, James Brown—seeker of secrets, scholar of the arcane, and now a stranger in a world where magic is not yet lost—took his first steps into the unknown.
Will he grow beyond obsession, using his knowledge to bring balance and hope to a realm teetering between wonder and ruin?Or will the allure of power consume him entirely now that the mystic truth he sought is finally within reach?
Only time will tell.