Story
Isekai Through the Stiller Gate
Stellar Gates – Crossing Between Worlds
✨ Story Summary
In the year 2025, four gifted archaeology students receive a research grant to excavate in Babylon, the heart of the Sumerian civilization. During their work, they uncover a mysterious well that had never appeared before. At its depths, they find the legendary beings Harut and Marut, who have been suspended for thousands of years. The two reveal a dreadful secret: the existence of stellar gates that link worlds together, offering a chance to travel into a parallel realm where magic, fantasy, and ancient civilizations are still alive.
After a long discussion, the four decide to take the leap and cross through the gate… not out of a desire to escape reality, but because their passion for history and civilizations cannot be satisfied by the limits of Earth. There, in the new world, they will encounter civilizations that mirror human history but with different paths, alongside realms of elves, giants, and demons.
In this world full of secrets, they are welcomed by a guardian angel who lays down a strict covenant: "Do not corrupt this world, or your journey will end before it begins." From here, their grand adventure begins — to discover unknown worlds and civilizations where knowledge and imagination blend with danger and challenge.
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Episode One
📝 New Character Profiles
1. Adam the Babylonian (Iraqi):
A young man with wheatish, slightly tanned Middle Eastern skin.
His sharp eyes reflect courage, and his warm smile reflects generosity.
Carries pride in his identity and history, which shows in any discussion.
Nature: brave, generous, always ready to help others.
2. Haru Susano (Japanese):
A handsome young man with well-arranged features, straight black hair, always dressed neatly and properly.
His personality reflects order and discipline (like the traditional Japanese).
Nature: intelligent, analytical, highly focused, always plans before moving.
Represents the image of "quiet strength."
3. Zhuge Liang (Chinese):
Moderate build, serious features, with eyes that reflect diligence.
Respects etiquette and politeness, careful with his words.
Very practical: never wastes time, always focused on results.
Represents the image of the hardworking, perseverant Chinese.
4. John Bunyan (American):
Tall, muscular, with short blond hair.
Slightly rebellious, sometimes arrogant, but with a cheerful heart and a love for adventure.
Often cracks jokes in serious situations to ease the tension.
Represents the American spirit of freedom and challenge.
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🎬 Part One – The Research Grant for Exploration
In a grand lecture hall, its walls covered with ancient maps, the professor spoke passionately about the Sumerian civilization.
Pointing to a map of Mesopotamia, he said:
"The Sumerians… the first to write laws, the first to build cities, the first to lay the foundations of civilization."
In the front row sat four distinguished students:
Adam the Babylonian, with his wheatish Middle Eastern complexion, eyes shining with courage, and a smile that carried generosity. He seemed to carry the pride of his ancestors in his heart.
Beside him sat Haru Susano, a handsome young man with orderly features and calm, traditional Japanese demeanor. He smiled little, but his sharp eyes seemed to calculate every word.
At the far end sat Zhuge Liang, his posture straight, features serious, holding a thick book, dealing with everything with solemnity and deep respect.
And then there was John Bunyan, leaning casually on his chair, tall and broad-shouldered, with a rebellious smirk on his face. His arrogance was softened by his cheerful spirit and adventurous nature, making him stand out.
The professor smiled warmly, then declared with a celebratory tone:
"And that is why the four of you have been chosen. You will go to the land of civilizations… to Babylon itself. You have received a unique research grant, because you are the best."
The four exchanged quick glances.
Adam lifted his head with pride.
Haru adjusted his glasses and said calmly, "This will be a great opportunity for research."
Zhuge Liang nodded firmly: "I will dedicate myself fully to accomplish the task entrusted to us."
And John laughed, saying in English: "Babylon, huh? … Now this is gonna be fun."
Days later, they met at the airport. Adam looked thrilled to see his homeland again, while Haru carefully checked his papers. Zhuge Liang stood formally, as if attending an official ceremony, while John dragged his suitcase lazily, waving at the others.
On the plane, Adam sat by the window, his eyes fixed on the vast land below. When the Tigris and Euphrates rivers came into view from above, he whispered:
"Here… the story began. And here, it will be written again."
The others were immersed in their own worlds:
Haru flipped through his notebook, his handwriting neat and precise like an artwork.
Zhuge read a passage on the philosophy of "balance between worlds."
And John yawned and laughed: "Hope there's some action out there."
The plane finally landed. Before them stretched the land of Iraq under the sunset, and in the distance rose the ruins of Babylon… towering, as if they had been waiting for them for thousands of years.
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Part Two – Excavation in Babylon
The sun was nearing the horizon when the research team arrived at the ancient ruins of Babylon. The burning heat of Iraq did not stop them from feeling an eerie thrill, for here lay the cradle of the earliest civilizations.
Adam the Babylonian, son of this land, led the group with enthusiasm, explaining to his companions — Zhuge Liang the Chinese, Haru the Japanese, and John the American. All four had earned a joint research grant to study the dawn of civilizations, but their hearts were brimming with excitement beyond any academic report.
As they examined a neglected corner near the mound, Adam spotted something unusual — the rim of a well, half-buried under sand. He brushed the dirt away with his hands and exclaimed eagerly:
"Look! This site isn't mentioned in any records… we might be the first to discover it!"
The three hesitated for a moment, but their curiosity quickly overtook their caution. One after another, they descended into the well. The deeper they went, the darker it grew, the air turning colder with every step. Suddenly, when they lit their lamps, their eyes widened in shock.
Two great figures hung upside down, their wings folded, their bodies glowing faintly. They were not human… their appearance was angelic. One of them lifted his head with effort, his voice resounding as if from the depths of the earth:
"In what time are you?"
The group froze, but Adam — closest to the tale — answered hesitantly:
"We are in the year 2025… after Christ."
The two exchanged a long look, and one said:
"Then… there is not much time left for our stay here."
Adam stepped forward cautiously, his voice trembling:
"Who… are you?"
The other replied:
"We are Harut and Marut… the angels sent down to Babylon to test mankind with magic. But we disobeyed the divine command… so we were given a choice: to suffer one day in Hell, or remain suspended here until the Day of Resurrection. We chose to remain."
Haru gasped: "Harut… Marut?! I heard Adam mention those names before."
All eyes turned to Adam, who lowered his head and said:
"Yes… their story was mentioned in the Qur'an, and also in ancient holy books. In my homeland, there are even folk tales of a man who once fell into a well, saw them, and returned to tell others of his vision."
Silence fell, broken only by the dripping of water deep below.
Harut raised his head again and asked:
"Tell us… has the Prophet of the End Times been sent?"
The friends exchanged glances, and Adam answered softly:
"Yes… the Seal of the Prophets was sent centuries ago."
A faint smile crossed the faces of the two angels.
"Then… the end is not far. That is good news indeed."
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A heavy silence lingered after Harut and Marut's words, the air inside the well thickening as if awaiting their response. All eyes turned to the strange shimmer of a gateway that flickered faintly behind the stone wall, its glow dancing on their uneasy faces.
Adam spoke hesitantly:
"So… if we accept, there will be no return?"
Marut's deep voice echoed:
"Yes. This is a fateful choice. Your world will remain as it is, but you… you will never go back."
Haru lifted his gaze, his composed face now marked with intensity:
"But think about it… We are scholars of history and archaeology. Isn't this what we have always dreamed of? To uncover civilizations no one has ever seen? Perhaps a history parallel to what we studied."
Zhuge Liang folded his arms, speaking calmly as though weighing each word:
"That may be true. But this is more than research. This is a journey of no return. In China, we say: 'He who steps into an unknown sea either drowns or finds treasure.' The question is… are we ready?"
John smirked, trying to hide his unease:
"Treasure or drowning, huh? Sounds like an invitation to die. But honestly… how could I go back now and pretend I never saw this? Who would believe us anyway?"
Adam bowed his head for a moment, then looked at each of them in turn:
"Everything we know, everything we worked for, would stay behind. But if we stay here… we'll lose this chance forever. They said we'll never find this place again."
Their silence deepened, Adam's words striking a chord within them.
Haru sighed and said:
"I… I want to see this new world. I feel my destiny lies there."
Zhuge Liang gazed intently at the shimmering gate:
"If this path allows no turning back, then let us walk it together. We will either succeed, or fail as one."
John chuckled lightly, though this time it was sincere:
"Alright then… I'm with you. No way I'm letting you go without me."
Adam extended his hand into the center:
"Then let us vow… to walk this journey as one."
There was a brief pause before Haru placed his hand atop Adam's, followed by Zhuge Liang, and finally John. Four hands clasped together in the dark well, illuminated by the glowing light of the gateway.
Harut smiled faintly for the first time:
"So be it… You have chosen as one body. That makes you worthy to cross."
He and Marut began chanting a celestial incantation. The words were alien and incomprehensible, yet they struck chords deep within the four, making their hearts pound as if the sound vibrated against their very souls. With each verse, the gateway's radiance grew until it became a sea of light.
Marut's voice thundered above the chant:
"Cross, and do not fear… the path has been opened for you."
The four looked to each other, eyes filled with both terror and exhilaration.
Adam whispered:
"Then… let our adventure begin."
Together, they leapt toward the gateway. A torrent of blinding light engulfed their bodies, swallowing them whole into another realm, leaving their world behind forever.
When the blinding light faded, the four found themselves standing on foreign soil. The air was crisp and pure, filled with the fragrance of flowers whose names they did not know. Before them stretched a dense forest, its colossal trees rising like pillars, their leaves glimmering faintly as if polished with emerald.
John's eyes widened in awe:
"Whoa… it smells like summer rain mixed with spring blossoms."
Haru knelt down, running the soil between his fingers:
"The earth… it feels alive, more vibrant than anything I've touched before."
Zhuge Liang studied the scene carefully, his tone calm and measured:
"This is not a simple change of place. The very environment follows laws different from our world."
Adam stood motionless, his eyes sweeping over the endless green and the sky above, painted in a deeper blue than he had ever seen:
"Did we… truly cross over? This is… another world."
Suddenly, the light began to gather again, pouring down between the towering trees. A radiant beam descended from the heavens, opening the way for a colossal, luminous being to appear. Wings of pure light unfolded behind it, stretching so vast they seemed to brush the sky. Its voice reverberated through the forest, commanding yet serene:
"Newcomers…"
The four froze, their breaths caught in their throats, hearts racing at the sight.
The being spoke again, each word echoing like a solemn decree:
"Know this: this world has a guardian and a covenant. Your presence here is no accident, but neither is it an unrestricted gift. You have been granted a blessing—but if you use it for corruption, your journey will end before it begins."
Haru whispered in disbelief:
"An angel… this is an angel."
Summoning his courage, Adam stepped forward:
"O guardian… why are we here? Why were we granted this blessing?"
The being lifted its immense wings, a dazzling glow washing over their faces:
"You are not the first humans to set foot in this realm, but you are among the rare few chosen. Your deeds in your own world allowed the higher wisdom to permit your arrival. Yet remember this: you are not free to rewrite the fate of this world. Do not create what is not yet due, and do not sow corruption… or I shall intervene myself."
Zhuge Liang lowered his head respectfully:
"We understand… but what must we do now?"
The guardian pointed toward the endless forest:
"Go forth. Your steps will lead you to civilizations unseen—some mirroring the history of your own world, others walking paths far different. Learn, and carve your destiny there. But your identities, your truth… must remain hidden. This world cannot bear to know who you are or from where you came."
The brilliance around the guardian began to fade, its voice softening as it withdrew:
"Remember… always choose the path of good, for only in goodness lies your salvation."
And then the light vanished, leaving them alone beneath the whispering trees. The sounds of strange birds echoed around them, carried by a gentle breeze. In that moment, the four realized… their true adventure had only just begun.
As they stood in the heart of the uncanny forest, still exchanging brief words about the guardian's warning, the ground suddenly quaked beneath their feet. The soil trembled, and leaves rained down from the towering trees above.
John spun around, eyes wide:
"You felt that? That's no mere wind."
Haru raised his hand, straining to listen:
"Wait… do you hear it? Something's coming."
A low, grinding roar echoed from deep within the woods, like boulders tearing against each other. It was followed by a metallic screech, sharp and jarring, as though some massive creature was dragging chains across the earth.
Zhuge Liang tightened his grip on the journal he always carried, his voice calm but heavy:
"This place… holds secrets we cannot yet comprehend. Perhaps we are about to face the first of them."
Adam glanced at his companions, steadying his tone though unease lingered in his eyes:
"Stay firm. We don't know what's coming, but showing weakness now… could cost us everything."
Then came another deafening crack, louder than before, and a chilling roar that tore through the forest. It was unlike anything they had ever heard—a cry that belonged to no beast of Earth. Trees shuddered violently, and a flock of black birds burst into the sky, their wings slicing through the fading light.
John forced a shaky grin, his voice laced with nervous bravado:
"Well… if this is the welcome party, I guess our adventure's about to get a whole lot rougher."
Haru clenched his fist, his eyes narrowing with determination:
"Prepare yourselves. Whatever appears now… it will be our first trial."
They froze, every nerve taut, as shadows stirred within the forest's depths. Something massive moved between the trees, its form obscured by the dim light, but each step it took made the ground tremble closer.
Adam whispered, almost to himself:
"Is this… the first creature of this new world?"
And in that moment, the four understood: their journey hadn't truly begun yet. What awaited them beyond those shifting shadows might exceed even their wildest imaginations.