The wheels of the horse-drawn carriage creaked over the uneven cobblestone path, each jolt shaking loose dust from its wooden frame. Outside, the night stretched endlessly, the forest on either side whispering with the rustle of unseen creatures. Inside, a faint lantern swayed, casting trembling shadows along the walls of the carriage. The space was wide enough for four men to sit comfortably, yet the heavy silence between the two passengers made it feel suffocating.
Chris sat slouched against the cushioned seat, his brows furrowed as though he carried the weight of two worlds on his shoulders. His hands were clenched together, knuckles pale, and his eyes seemed lost—wandering through problems only he could see.
Michael, who had been quietly observing, shifted closer. His presence broke the stagnant air, his voice calm yet laced with curiosity.
"Chris," he said softly, tilting his head, "you look like a man drowning in his own thoughts. What's troubling you so much?"
Chris snapped out of his trance, startled. For a brief second his body trembled as if caught doing something forbidden. His eyes darted to Michael's, wide and uncertain, before he quickly looked away. He shook his head in denial.
"No… it's nothing."
Michael smirked faintly, leaning forward. His voice carried a warmth that could have been mistaken for genuine care, yet behind his eyes, calculations churned like storm clouds.
"Don't brush it aside. Come on, tell me. We're comrades, aren't we? If something weighs you down, maybe I can help carry it… or at least ease the burden."
The words hung in the air, inviting, almost brotherly. But Michael's thoughts told a different story.
What's he hiding so desperately that he'd rather lie? Something worth a promise of secrecy?
Chris remained silent, but the hesitation was obvious. He shifted uneasily, then finally met Michael's gaze. His eyes held both fear and desperation.
"If I tell you… you must promise not to reveal it to anyone."
Michael narrowed his eyes, suspicion flashing across his features. His lips curled into a doubtful half-smile.
"A promise? What kind of problem demands that much secrecy?"
Dark thoughts wormed into Michael's mind, unbidden. Could it be… Neha? The so-called Night Queen, his wife in this world. Perhaps their relationship wasn't as perfect as it seemed. A failing marriage, a secret affair… or worse.
But then Michael shook his head internally. What would I do in such a situation? In my previous world, I never built such bonds. No lovers, no family ties—nothing strong enough to be broken. If it's something like that, I have no solution.
The silence pressed heavier as Chris glanced around the carriage. It was large for a horse-drawn vehicle, built sturdily with steel braces and polished wood, but more importantly—it was empty, save for them. Catherine sat near the front, outside view partially blocking her from seeing them clearly. Chris leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"You're not from this world… are you?"
The words struck Michael like a dagger to the chest. His expression darkened instantly, though he masked it with a controlled facade. He could feel his heart hammering against his ribs, his carefully hidden truth laid bare by the man sitting across from him.
Before Michael could respond, Chris continued in a whisper.
"You… were falling near the cliff by the mountain. I saw it. Someone pushed you from behind."
Michael's hands twitched. His inner voice screamed. Impossible. How does he know? Who told him this? No… this isn't coincidence. Someone has been planning this from the start. If word spreads… everything I've built will crumble.
He gritted his teeth, silently shouting in his own head. The survival plan failed. I never established myself properly in this world. If this truth gets out, I'll have to change everything—rebuild from the ashes.
Forcing his features into calmness, Michael spoke with measured tone.
"And how exactly do you know all this?"
Chris's expression softened, almost relieved, as if confessing finally lifted the weight from his soul. His eyes shimmered with a faint glow of hope.
"Because… it's all because of me."
Michael's pupils dilated. He leaned forward sharply, voice dropping to a growl.
"What do you mean, because of you?"
Chris lowered his head, shame etched across his face. His voice trembled.
"I don't even know how to say this… but the truth is… I was the one who pushed you."
The words detonated like thunder inside the carriage. Michael lunged forward instantly, his hand gripping Chris's shoulder with crushing force. The wooden frame groaned as the impact echoed. The sudden sound made Catherine, who had been glancing idly outside, snap her head toward them. Her sharp eyes caught the tension, but Michael released his grip just in time, pretending nothing unusual had happened.
Turning back, he spoke in a low, dangerous tone.
"Why? Tell me why you did it."
Chris's lips quivered. He shook his head desperately.
"No… listen to me. It wasn't like that. I didn't want to kill you. I didn't even know you."
Michael's gaze sharpened, suspicion blazing like fire.
"So what then? A contract? A bounty on my head? Or were you dragged into some scheme—an assassin in disguise?"
Chris shook violently, eyes pleading.
"No! It wasn't murder. That day… I was driving. Just a normal day. I saw your car stopped near the cliff. I thought maybe you needed help. So I stopped mine and came over. I was going to call out to you… but then—" His breath quickened, voice breaking. "—a motorbike came from nowhere. It hit me. I lost balance and stumbled forward. I tried to stop, but I fell against you. And we both… fell."
Michael's brow furrowed, confusion swirling with rage.
Chris's hands trembled as he clutched his knees, eyes distant.
"But as I was falling… something strange happened. You vanished. Right beneath me. And then… I vanished too. The next moment, I woke up in this world. That was three years ago."
Silence thickened, the air almost solid. Michael's anger dimmed, replaced with icy contemplation.
"Three years…" he muttered under his breath, the words tasting bitter. Then what about me? Did I lie senseless all this time? Suspended between worlds for years? Why?
Chris looked down, ashamed.
"I tried, Michael. For three years, I searched for answers. Tried to understand why we were brought here. But… nothing. No clues, no path forward."
Michael studied him carefully. The honesty in Chris's tone disarmed him, but not enough to lower his guard. He spoke coldly.
"Then the only thing left is survival. Forget mysteries. Forget explanations. If we cannot unravel the past, we forge a future here. Together."
Yet inside, Michael's true thoughts burned. No. This ends now. He knows too much. If he spreads this story, everything collapses. I must silence him eventually… but not yet.
Feigning lightness, Michael forced a smirk.
"Besides, you're already one step ahead of me. Married to a woman of this world, aren't you?"
Chris's eyes flickered toward the far side of the carriage where Neha sat, quiet and graceful. He shook his head quickly.
"No… not like that. She's just… my companion. Nothing more."
Michael chuckled.
"Really? I was starting to think otherwise."
Chris said nothing, gaze lingering on Neha with unreadable emotion.
---
Meanwhile, far from the tense carriage, under the pale glow of twin moons, another meeting unfolded.
Ren emerged from the shadows, stepping before Ito and Eliza. His arrival was as sudden as it was unsettling—like a phantom appearing where none should be.
"Ito," Ren said, his voice carrying the weight of authority, "our first mission begins in Cromon Kingdom. A coastal state—strategic, wealthy. If we take it, the surrounding kingdoms will fall easily into our grasp."
Ito frowned, his youthful eyes narrowing.
"But why form an empire at all? We're strong already. Couldn't we just keep growing in our own way? Why conquer?"
Ren's lips curved faintly, almost amused.
"You've heard of the Void Continent, haven't you?"
The question sent a jolt through Ito. The Void Continent was nothing more than legend, whispered in old taverns and children's tales.
"That's just… a story, isn't it?"
Before Ren could answer, Eliza jabbed her elbow into Ito's side, whispering sharply.
"Idiot. It's real. And it's where we're headed."
Ito blinked, shocked.
"Real? Then… what does that have to do with building an empire?"
Ren clasped his hands behind his back, gaze piercing.
"Good question. Empires and their rulers hold secrets not meant for ordinary men. The kings and emperors of this world—each of them knows fragments of the truth. Through their knowledge, a path to the Void Continent can be forged. And that land… is no place for the weak. The average ant crawling there wields power greater than B-rank hunters or mages of our continents."
Ito swallowed hard. The thought was overwhelming.
"Then only those beyond ranks… those unmeasurable… can set foot there."
Ren's smile widened.
"Exactly."
Eliza folded her arms, her silver hair catching the moonlight.
"So, are we leaving for Cromon now?"
Ren nodded. "Yes. But whether I join you or not… that remains undecided."
Eliza smirked, confidence radiating from her.
"This task doesn't need you. The royals of Cromon are weak. I alone am more than enough."
"Good," Ren said simply. Then his eyes turned toward Ito.
"This will be your first mission, Ito. Succeed, and you'll begin to understand."
Ito's brows knit together.
"You said our goals are the same. Then why the secrecy?"
Ren's eyes glimmered with something unreadable.
"In time, you'll see. Knowledge too early only corrupts."
He raised his hand and murmured words in an ancient tongue:
"Co hoes no de ono bel blusko."
Neither Ito nor Eliza understood, though the words reverberated in their chests like echoes of eternity. Eternal is the song, eternal is the cycle.
Before they could question him further, a swirling portal opened. Without hesitation, Ren stepped through and vanished.
The silence that followed was broken only by Eliza's sudden transformation. Her human guise melted away—ears elongating into elegant points, her eyes glowing faintly with elven light.
Ito's jaw dropped.
"You're… an elf?"
Eliza smirked mischievously, lifting a slender leg and pressing it against Ito's shoulder before pushing him down playfully.
"Consider this your first lesson, newbie. As your senior, it's my duty to teach you how things work."
Ito growled, frustrated.
"Was that really necessary?"
Her laughter rang in the moonlit air, sharp and playful, while Ito's frustration only deepened. But beneath it all, an unspoken bond was beginning to form—one that would decide the fate of empires.
-