"Today, I will become a great man, bro!" exclaimed Kal, his green eyes sparkling under his black hair, his brown top adorned with red streaks moving with his every gesture. His heart raced, a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"Always excited over nothing… Kal, it's just another day," replied Zen, with yellow hair and piercing eyes. His brows were furrowed, a mix of amusement and exasperation on his face.
"You don't understand a thing about a high schooler's life!" Kal snapped. "Today, I will finally become like the heroes in books: popular, charismatic… a beauty capable of shaking everyone! I've learned everything that could make me strong: cooking, sports… even sewing!"
"Pff… don't be ridiculous. You've lived with me for six years, and I still can't understand you," Zen sighed, shaking his head.
Zen wasn't my real brother. One day, during a vacation at my grandmother's, we saw him fall from the sky.
Near a lake, curiosity pushed me to rush over. My surprise was total: a boy about my age, lying unconscious. I was ten years old then. The wind blew, shaking the branches above, and the sound of water hitting the rocks made the scene both eerie and silent.
We took him in. At first, he seemed empty, soulless. He barely spoke and kept repeating that he remembered nothing—no name, no past, no home. Yet, he often stared at the sky, as if trying to recall lost memories. His gaze was deep, sometimes distant, and Kal felt a mix of curiosity and sadness.
Over time, a spark of life returned to his eyes. Little by little, he learned to live among us, even if his memory never came back. My grandparents adopted him, and he became, in a way, my brother.
"Kal… remember when we were kids? We used to get bullied, unable to defend ourselves? Today, we're stronger… together. Nothing and no one can stop us," Zen said with conviction. His voice trembled slightly, betraying a fear he tried to hide.
"Stop with the dramatic tone!" I replied. "Today, we're entering high school. Drop the 'world conqueror' mode for once."
We were on our way to the prestigious Bird Academy, where, after a thousand efforts, I had been accepted. Zen had earned a scholarship thanks to his excellent grades. The morning air was crisp, filled with the scents of the city, hinting that something unexpected was about to happen.
As we talked, a drop of water fell on my head. I looked up and shouted:
"Zen! Do you see what I see?!"
Zen followed my gaze. Six years we had known each other, and he had never seen me like this. What he saw made his heart skip a beat.
In the sky, a gigantic eye scrutinized the city. Its black pupil seemed to absorb all light, casting a chilling aura over the streets and inhabitants.
People panicked, running in all directions. Zen and I, paralyzed by fear, felt our eyelids grow heavy. A shiver ran down our spines.
A strange sleep overtook us.
I slapped my face to stay awake, but seeing Zen collapse beside me made me surrender. The world faded into darkness.
"Hmm… Kal…"
"Grandma… five more minutes, idiot…"
"It's me, Zen!" he said, slapping me.
"Ouch! That hurts! Zen, what are you doing here?"
Zen raised his hand, ready to strike again, then sighed.
"Idiot… does this look like your room, maybe?"
I jumped up, eyes wide.
"Zen… why are we in a gigantic cave?"
Everything around us was oversized, like a giant's world. The walls oozed moisture, and strange echoes resonated in the distance.
"I don't know," said Zen. "The last thing I remember is that giant eye… then a strange sleep… and now we're here."
"Look at all this! Even this door!" I exclaimed.
"A door in a cave… seriously?" murmured Zen.
"That's what shocks you the most?"
But Zen was mesmerized by the door. He stepped closer.
Carved into it were unknown symbols, and at its center, a gigantic eye—the same as the one in the sky.
The cave was shrouded in darkness, explaining why we hadn't noticed it before. A cold breeze emanated from the door, and the faint glow of a strange light danced across the walls.
"And this light… where is it coming from?" I asked.
The door suddenly opened.
"Kal! Step back!" shouted Zen.
Too late.
My arm touched the door as it gave way. I slipped and fell. Zen lunged to grab my collar.
"I've got you!"
A loud crack echoed.
My jacket tore.
I plummeted into an abyss that seemed endless. The void stretched infinitely beneath me. Cold air whistled around me, every second lasting an eternity. My hands desperately searched for a grip… in vain.
Then a strange, bluish light appeared below, pulling me toward an unknown world. The ground seemed alive, as if the abyss itself wanted to test me.
Shadows with glowing red eyes moved around, watching silently. Some seemed to whisper, their voices distant echoes I couldn't understand.
"No… not now… not here…" I muttered helplessly.
My hands finally touched a cold, smooth surface. I fell onto it, surprised. The pain from the fall faded. Around me, towering structures defied gravity, and strange creatures roamed, the air humming with mysterious energy.
I realized one thing: this world was not ours. It was hostile… unknown… and perhaps the beginning of a greater nightmare.
Zen regained consciousness, his head heavy and body aching. Standing before him, a massive figure held a staff glowing with dark light. His heart raced, but curiosity mingled with fear.
"Who… who are you?" Zen stammered, trying to remain composed despite the terror.
No answer came. Just a heavy silence, the air itself seeming to hold its breath. The figure advanced slowly, each step echoing like thunder. The ground trembled beneath its weight.
Zen straightened. He had to survive. For Kal. For himself. But deep inside, one question burned: Was this their world… or a trap of another dimension?
"Kal…" he whispered, fear and determination intertwined, ready to face the unknown.