Many would think a story’s beginning would be loud and bright. That it would be noticed for its significance. Maybe in the future, people will say they saw this coming the moment it arrived. Yet, they would be lying. There was no sound; no sight. It was all-consuming stillness - like a star before it goes supernova. Only to be seen by entities millions of years in the future.

  Even I never knew the full impact of my actions until their story ended. Perhaps I should be proud, not feeling this wistfulness.

  Anyway, let me not get distracted. I still have a story to tell. Should I start at the end…

  An entity looked over reality as it withered in an eternal freeze - the symphony of creation ended.

  Or the beginning?

  Two entities danced as their children played with all reality; universes being born and ended on whims.

  ————

  The wind blew harshly in the forest. The rustling of leaves was loud and clouds darkened the sky. No sounds were heard from the countless creatures, not wanting attention on them. The atmosphere grew heavier around a dark clearing. Something was watching, waiting for the right moment.

  Then - with a snap of lightning a man appeared, screaming as he got electrocuted. It felt as though his very being was jumbled up in a soup. His soul strained against the pain, not noticing another straining with it. The quiet forest suddenly became loud as the everpresent watcher stopped focusing on the man - their part done for now.

  Rain fell as the man stopped screaming.

  “What in the Cherished One’s name was that?” Kostantinos breathed heavily. His eyes opened to meet a cloudy sky. “Why the fuck am I outside?”

  Last he knew, he was at home laying in bed from a tiring day. Now, he’s in a strange forest, drenched in cold rain. He stumbled to get up; his balance wonky. He needs to find shelter before he becomes sick. The why and why could be figured out later. As his father always told him, prioritize survival before the mysteries.

  His limbs twitched occasionally as the shock of the lightning faded. Kostantinos looked around for any sign of civilization or a cave. The storm was getting fiercer; time getting shorter before it got too much to bear.

  There, a mountain stuck out. Hidden behind some bushes was a cave. It looked deep enough to weather the storm. He went to run towards it -

  “What is happening!?” A masculine voice rang around him. Kostantinos stopped, looking around for the source. “Who are you!?”

  “I should ask the same thing,” Kostantinos said out loud, “Where are you?”

  “You are the one controlling my body! Where did you take me?” The voice - the one he knew was in his head - sounded panicked.

  “Calm down!” Kostantinos growled as a headache brewed. “I wasn’t here by choice and by the sounds of it, you aren’t either.”

  “Like that makes it better,” The voice scoffed, its panic lessening. The anxiety was still there, but it was soon covered by curiosity and a lot of confusion. “How does this even happen?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never read something like this.” Kostantinos said. He sighed as this got a whole more complicated. He went to lean on a tree as he focused inward towards the voice. Breathing in - out - in - out - ah, there's the problem. Right in his soulscape, a second soul buzzed around. It was pure black. “What in…”

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Exactly! Get me out of here!” The soul demanded. Kostantinos’ own white soul poked around the area.

  “It feels like you are a natural part of my soulscape.” He let out a frustrated exhale.

  “What does that mean?” The soul joined Kostantinos in poking around.

  “It means that unless we find an expert Soulscaper or make a complete Path, we can’t separate our souls from each other.” He explained. Once again, he tried to find anything that rejected the other soul from the space, but there was nothing. A stranger’s soul should be instinctively pushed out of such a vulnerable area.

  “Soulscape? A Path?” The soul murmured, “I've never heard of any of those terms - or at least in this type of scenario.”

  “You don’t know what a Path is? Have you been living under a troll?” Kostantinos looked at the other soul strangely.

  “I wouldn’t be asking if I knew!” The soul suddenly shivered, “Also, is it getting cold in here or is it just me?”

  “Ah, that’s right. The storm’s still going on. Alright, hang on, we can talk while I go towards the cave.” Kostantinos exited the soulscape quickly. He shivered as the cold wind brushed against his naked body. The cave appeared farther away than before. Exhaustion set in as though he already ran a dragon. Sighing, he went into a run towards the cave.

  “Going to explain now?” The soul impatiently asked.

  “Introductions first, I’m Kostantinos Sophos Aurelius, Ceaser of the Nihilominus Empire. Who are you?”

  “A what?” Kostantinos felt the soul shake as though it was trying to shake his head, “Never mind, I am Cody Michaelson from the Republic of Gaea.”

  “I’ve never heard of the Republic of Gaea. I know the Republic of Joag - but no other such country.” Kostantinos said, slightly distracted from observing for threats. The run has been eerily quiet besides the storm. No sounds of birds flying away or squirrels squirreling away to shelter.

  “What about the Huoxīng Dynasty? The People of Shukr? Or even the Taitan Empire? None of those?” Kostantinos shook his head. “Not that surprising…I haven’t heard about the Nihilominus Empire either.”

  “You haven’t? That’s…” Kostantinos slowed down as he neared the cave. The silent animals were making him vigilant. Especially as he neared his destination. “Surprising. Be quiet now. I need to focus.”

  A mountain stood towering over them. It was covered in large trees and thick vines. The cave seemed invisible with all the vegetation in front of it. “How did you even see this? How did I see it?” Cody whispered. His curiousity once again overrides his anxiety again.

  “Keep your inquiries for later. Be quiet.” Kostantinos hissed. He carefully avoided piles of leaves and twigs as he entered the dark cave with the storm behind him. Water dripped down from the stalactites, echoing down the cave. Wet moss covered the sides. He looked at the bones further inside. The magoi inside was thicker than usual. “I think this cave might be occupied.”

  “You think!? Leave! I don’t want to be eaten!”

  “Do you have a better plan? Because we either freeze outside or we brave the beast inside. We might be able to negotiate with it.” Kostantinos ventured deeper; trying to find the beast without it finding him first.

  “This is a stupid plan, you are stupid for even considering it. I’m stupid for even giving it a thought! How do you even negotiate with an animal!?” Cody panicked.

  “Not an animal, a beast. Those are usually more intelligent and I can communicate with my magoi.” Kostantinos explained.

  “There’s a difference? Also, magoi like magic?” Cody let out a gasp of realization, “Ah, this is really like a novel…”

  Kostantinos snorted, “you think?” He’s read many such scenarios when he’s had free time to read. A stranger from a strange place comes around and makes a name for themself as they adventure throughout the lands. This does feel like quite an adventure with a stranger. He smirked at the thought; he always wanted to explore the lands he was taught to rule.

  The sound of loud steps knocked him out of his thoughts. It sounded like paws luckily. He was worried it would be a dragon den. Those creatures are always so unreasonable. Kostantinos gazed toward the sound and watched a big towering bear come into sight. It growled at them loudly. It’s magoi felt aggressive and protective? What was it protecting?