He took his first step out of the crater.
The ground gave slightly under his weight, covered in disturbed soil, exposed roots, and fragments of blackened rock. It took several attempts to climb the irregular edge of the impact; his hands sank into the damp mud while the crushed vegetation crunched beneath his boots. Finally, with one last effort, he managed to get out.
He remained standing, breathing heavily.
The panorama before him was disconcerting.
Tall trees with thick trunks and unfamiliar bark stretched in every direction. Many were split or uprooted, as if a colossal force had swept through the area. The undergrowth was dense, in deep green tones mixed with leaves of colors impossible for any recorded terrestrial species. The air carried a strange scent, metallic and vegetal at the same time.
"Aisha," he said in a low voice. "We need a plan. A survival plan."
For a second there was no response. Then the familiar voice resonated directly in his mind, weaker than before, but stable.
"Survival plan initiated," she replied. "Warning: with the current energy level, 2%, it is not possible to manufacture advanced weaponry or complex defensive systems."
He frowned as he walked cautiously, watching every shadow.
"Available options," Aisha continued: "simple weapons. Sword, spear, or bow. Local materials required."
He did not hesitate.
"A sword," he replied. "Something balanced. Nothing extravagant."
Aisha processed the request. Residual nanoconstructors, powered by her remaining energy and nearby materials, began to activate. Invisible particles gathered, reorganizing minerals from the ground and microscopic metallic fragments present in the rocks.
Within minutes, a sword appeared before him.
It was not elegant, but it was functional: a straight blade, slightly dark gray, with a surprisingly clean edge. The hilt adjusted immediately to his hand, as if it had been designed for him from the very beginning.
He held it, testing its weight.
"Good…" he murmured.
Despite being thirty-five years old, his body did not reflect it. Advanced medicine on Earth had worked miracles: firm muscles, quick reflexes, heightened endurance. In his youth he had practiced martial arts—not as a hobby, but as a discipline. That could now mean the difference between life and death.
"Priorities," Aisha said. "Shelter, water, food."
As they moved forward, Aisha constantly analyzed the environment. Every plant, every leaf, every unknown fruit was scanned through passive sensors integrated into her neural connection.
"Plant not identified," she reported. "Probability of toxicity: 63%. Avoid direct contact."
"And that one?" he asked, pointing at some bluish fruits hanging from a vine.
"Composition similar to complex carbohydrates. Low risk. Cooking recommended before consumption."
Thus, little by little, they mapped out a basic framework for survival.
After nearly an hour of exploration, he found a cave partially hidden among rocks and giant roots. The entrance was wide enough to enter while crouching, but not so large as to be unsafe.
"This will do," he said.
Aisha confirmed.
"Temporary shelter viable. Natural protection against predators and climate."
He left the sword leaning against the inner wall, marked the place mentally… and went back out. He needed to survey the terrain.
He had not gone far when something moved among the bushes.
A low, deep growl.
He froze.
The leaves were violently pushed aside, and the creature emerged.
It was a wolf… but it wasn't.
Its body was enormous, almost the size of an adult human. Muscles were defined beneath a dark, coarse pelt. Its eyes shone with a savage, unnatural intelligence. But the most disturbing thing was the horn protruding from its forehead: long, curved, bony, like a natural spear.
"Hostile contact," Aisha said instantly. "New species registered. Threat level: high."
The wolf did not wait.
It lunged at him with brutal speed.
He barely had time to react. He drew the sword and twisted his body, feeling the animal's impact as it brushed past his torso. The claws sliced through the air where his neck had been a second earlier.
He rolled on the ground, then got up immediately.
"Aisha, movement analysis."
"Combat mode activated."
Suddenly, his mind filled with information. Trajectories, angles, predictions. Every movement of the wolf was anticipated milliseconds before it happened.
The wolf attacked again.
He blocked with the sword; the clash sent vibrations through his entire arm. The horn passed centimeters from his face, ripping a chunk of bark from the tree behind him.
"Strength above standard human levels," Aisha reported. "Recommend attacks on vital points: neck, rear joints."
The wolf spun, biting.
This time he did not fully evade.
He felt a searing pain as the fangs closed around his forearm. The sword nearly slipped from his grasp.
"Shit…!"
"Moderate damage," Aisha said. "Motor function compromised by 18%."
With a shout, he used his knee to strike the wolf's side. The creature howled and retreated, but did not flee. Its eyes locked onto him with fury.
It lunged again.
This time, he advanced as well.
The sword cut through the air and sank into the wolf's shoulder, but it was not enough. The impact threw him off balance. The wolf slammed into him, hurling him to the ground.
He felt a crack.
"Warning," Aisha said. "Risk of amputation if the struggle continues."
The wolf raised its head, preparing to drive the horn down.
With the last of his strength, he twisted his wrist, slid the sword, and drove it with all his force into the beast's neck.
The blade pierced flesh, tendons… and finally resistance.
A hot spray soaked him.
The wolf shuddered, let out one last strangled growl, and collapsed heavily on top of him.
He pushed the body away, rolled to the side, and lay on his back, gasping, staring at the sky through the treetops.
Silence.
"Enemy neutralized," Aisha confirmed. "User status: stable… but compromised."
He closed his eyes for a moment.
He had survived.
But he understood something with absolute clarity:
That world was not benign.