[Hydro regained awareness, he was falling through an endless sky. The wind roared in his ears, and the ground rushed up to meet him. He braced for impact, but instead of pain, he landed softly, as if cushioned by an invisible force.]
[He stood up, bewildered. The landscape was unlike anything he had ever seen. Snow blanketed the ground, yet the air was warm and humid. In the distance, palm trees swayed, and the familiar shapes of Filipino houses stood out against the white expanse.]
HYDRO: [to himself] Where am I? How is there snow in the Philippines?
[Keeping a low profile, Hydro made his way through the snow-covered streets. His mind raced with questions. What was this place? How had he ended up here? And what did it mean to be a "Player"?]
[He reached his home, hoping for some semblance of normalcy. But as he entered, a cold dread settled in his stomach. The house was eerily quiet. He searched every room, calling out for his parents.]
HYDRO: Mom? Dad? Where are you?
[In his parents' bedroom, he found a note on the bed. His hands trembled as he picked it up and read:]
"We knew you would find your way here eventually. We're sorry we couldn't wait. We love you, Hydro."
[The words blurred as tears filled his eyes. They were gone. He was alone in this strange, alternate universe. Despair threatened to overwhelm him, but he forced himself to stay calm. He needed to survive, to understand this new reality.]
[He sat on his bed, clutching the note, when the interface reappeared in his mind.]
INTERFACE: Welcome, Player. You have been transported to a parallel universe through the Temporal Prism. Your objective is to find the Core of Reality and restore balance.
HYDRO: What do you mean? How am I supposed to find this Core of Reality?
INTERFACE: Guidance will be provided. Trust the process.
[Hydro felt a surge of frustration. He had no idea where to start or what to do. He was just a kid, thrown into a situation far beyond his comprehension. But he knew he had to try. He couldn't let his parents' sacrifice be in vain.]
[He spent the next few days exploring the snow-covered town, gathering supplies and information. The townspeople seemed unaware of the bizarre climate, living their lives as if everything were normal. Hydro kept to himself, wary of drawing attention. He found solace in the familiar streets and faces, even if the world around them was surreal.]
[One evening, as he wandered through the market, he overheard a conversation that piqued his interest. An old man spoke of ancient legends and forgotten relics, mentioning a "Core of Reality" hidden in the mountains.]
OLD MAN: [to a small crowd] The Core of Reality is said to be a source of immense power, capable of altering worlds. Many have sought it, but none have returned.
[Hydro approached the old man, his heart pounding.]
HYDRO: Excuse me, sir. Do you know where I can find this Core of Reality?
[The old man looked at him with piercing eyes, as if seeing through his soul.]
OLD MAN: [gravely] You seek the Core, boy? It is a dangerous path, fraught with peril. But if you are determined, head north to the mountains. There you may find what you seek.
YOU ARE READING
Kairiki: Before the Nightmare
Adventure(This is a Prequel to the Comic: Kairiki) Hydro Undergrove was just an ordinary high schooler in our world until the Temporal Prism caused global chaos, leading to his and his family's death. However, he is mysteriously revived by an unknown presenc...
