Matt looked around. It seemed he was in a forest near a small pond, where strange, otherworldly fish swam beneath the surface — nothing like he'd ever seen before.
"Is that even possible?" he thought, eyeing one of the creatures closely. It had metallic scales and lizard-like eyes.
"What the hell is this?" he muttered, a mix of fear and excitement in his voice.
Confused and disoriented, he began walking away from the pond in search of civilization. Before long, he spotted a small hut, a lantern glowing faintly outside. Hope flickered in his chest — maybe someone inside could explain what was going on. As he made his way toward the hut, a putrid stench filled the air, growing stronger the closer he got.
Instinctively, Matt reached up to cover his nose, but paused — he only had one hand now.
He knocked on the door. No answer. After a few failed attempts, he gripped the handle."I hope whoever's inside doesn't mind the intrusion," he thought, hesitating for a moment before slowly pushing the door open.
Darkness greeted him. The foul smell was even stronger inside — warm, moist air clung to his skin."Hello? Is anybody here?" he called out, voice echoing.
Suddenly, a disgusting, wet sound echoed from the shadows — like something slimy sliding across the floor. Without warning, a huge tongue shot out from the darkness. It was coated in slime, reeking of rotting flesh. It lashed toward Matt and wrapped tightly around him.
"Help me!" Matt screamed as the tongue squeezed him tighter, pressure building until it felt like his eyes might burst from his skull.
From the trees nearby, a figure bolted toward him — a man wielding a scythe with a chain attached to its base. Without hesitation, the stranger leapt forward and sliced clean through the monstrous tongue in a single, fluid motion.
"What the hell were you doing, you idiot?!" the man shouted angrily.
"I—I was just looking for somewhere to sleep, and then this creature attacked me…" Matt said, groaning from the pain in his ribs, exhaustion making it hard to think.
The stranger blinked, then burst into laughter. "What? Even a kid knows what a Glimmergnaw looks like."
Matt looked up at the man who towered over him — skinny and tall, with pale skin and teeth sharp as knives.
"We need to get you to a healer, fast. I'm sure that thing cracked your ribs… and, well, your whole arm's missing." He scooped Matt up easily, slinging him over his shoulder like he weighed nothing. "I'm Saaight, by the way."
"What's your name?" Saaight asked as he ran with the speed of a galloping horse.
Matt remained silent. Even if he wanted to speak, the pain in his chest wouldn't let him.
"Hmmm," Saaight hummed. Then, grinning, he said, "Let me guess… your name's Cairn, right?"
Matt blinked. I guess I'm Cairn now.
After a pause, he replied weakly, "Yeah… how did you know?"
Saaight laughed proudly. "That's my special ability! I can guess anyone's name just by looking at them."
Cairn chuckled quietly, wincing at the pain in his chest. As he looked up, the dense forest finally gave way to an open view — and there it was.
A city.
Alive with glowing lanterns, rising towers, and winding streets buzzing with movement. The air was rich with the scent of roasting meat, spices, and fresh bread, teasing his hunger. His stomach let out a loud growl in protest, and for a moment, he forgot the pain.
Soon, they reached a large, oddly shaped building pulsing with noise and laughter. Strange banners hung across the front, painted with the image of a mythical creature — part dragon, part wolf. A tavern? A guild hall? He couldn't tell.
Saaight kicked the door open without slowing down.
Inside, the air was thick with heat, cheers, and clashing steel. A crowd circled the center of the room where two fighters battled furiously — a woman wielding twin daggers and a man with a massive axe, his eyes gleaming with wild intent.
But Cairn's eyes went wide not because of them — but because of what lay beside the fighting ring.
A massive beast, half-wolf, half-dragon, its leathery wings folded, its golden eyes watching the duel with casual interest — like it had seen a thousand before.
Cairn tried to speak, but the pain caught up with him.
Darkness crept in at the edges of his vision.
And then everything went black.