Consciousness returned slowly.
The first thing the man noticed was not pain.
It was lightness.
Only moments ago, he had been standing in his own home—in his son's room—having just tucked the child into bed. Now, the familiar sound of soft breathing reached his ears once more.
His son was still asleep.
Right beside him.
A wave of relief washed over his chest.
"Welcome."
The voice was gentle. Female.
He turned instinctively—and froze.
Before him stood a woman of striking beauty, her long crimson hair flowing like liquid fire. Her presence alone made the air feel heavier, more real.
"This must be a dream," he said quietly.
The woman blinked, then smiled faintly.
"If believing that helps you accept what's happening," she replied, "then perhaps it is."
Her gaze drifted to the child.
"But the truth is… you've been given a second chance. Both you—and your son."
The man immediately scooped the sleeping boy into his arms.
"I don't know who you are," he said firmly, "or what you want. But if this is real—please. Leave my son out of it."
The woman's expression softened.
"I know your life," she said. "I know what you've lost. And because of that… I wish to offer you a choice."
She stepped aside.
They were no longer indoors.
Greenery stretched endlessly in every direction. Marble structures stood among trees, reminiscent of ancient Greek ruins. Brilliant butterflies drifted through the air. A clear stream shimmered nearby, its water tinged with blue.
"This place exists between worlds," the woman continued. "And your next step will decide everything."
The man lowered his son gently onto the grass, still wrapped in the blanket his mother had once knitted by hand.
After a long breath, he looked up.
"Even if this is a dream," he said calmly, "thank you—for bringing my son here safely."
The woman hid her smile behind a crystal-blue fan.
"This is not a dream," she said. "You are being sent to a world called Atlas. A land of swords and magic."
She spoke quickly now.
"Your world remembers Atlantis as a myth. In truth, it was real. But its power exceeded what Earth could contain, and so it was returned to its origin."
Her voice darkened.
"Balance did not last."
She spoke of humans driven by greed. Orcs forced into endless war. Elves retreating into suspicion. Dwarves sealing themselves away. And demons—locked in eternal conflict, even among themselves.
"This world is collapsing," she said. "And two years ago, humans summoned three heroes from your world using forbidden magic."
The man frowned.
"They were meant to save it?"
"They were meant to," she replied. "Instead, they became tools."
She closed the fan.
"I can only summon two beings from another world every three hundred years."
Her eyes met his.
"You and your son are the last ones I can call."
Silence followed.
Finally, he spoke.
"My son is only three."
The woman nodded.
"And yet… he is part of your fate."
She raised her hand.
"I grant you five powers—abilities that may grow without limit."
"Wait—powers? Heroes—" he began.
"Our time is up," she said softly.
The world began to fade.
"Protect your son," her voice echoed. "When the time comes… we will meet again."
Exhaustion hit him all at once.
His vision blurred.
And holding his child close, he fell into darkness.