Neoverse

Prologue

It all started back in high school in the year 2030. I can still recall the day before the catastrophe with startling clarity. It was just another Thursday, or so I thought.

I was Ethan Hawkins, a third-year high school student, the quiet guy who kept to himself. Most of my classmates saw me as the introverted one, often lost in thought, more interested in books  and photography  than in socializing.

That evening, as I walked home i grab my camera and snap a picture of a beautiful sunset. Then, out of nowhere, a bluish light descended from the sky, striking me with an intensity I had never felt before. 

Everything went black.

When I woke up, the alien landscape stretched out before me, eerie and beautiful. I struggled to get on my feet, my head pounding, and look in my surroundings. Strange, glowing plants and towering crystalline structures cast an ethereal light, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere. I was completely alone, with no way to communicate or understand what had happened. That bluish light was the last thing I remembered.

I checked my pockets—my phone, useless here, and my camera, thankfully still intact. Instinctively, I raised the camera and snapped a few pictures, hoping to document this strange place. Maybe someday, someone would see these and understand what had happened to us.

The first priority was to find shelter and water. I scanned the horizon, noticing a cluster of what appeared to be large, mushroom-like plants in the distance. They might offer some cover, and perhaps I could find water nearby.

As I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The air was thick with the unfamiliar sounds of alien wildlife. I kept my eyes peeled for any signs of danger.

Reaching the mushroom-like plants, I discovered they were massive, their caps providing a wide, umbrella-like cover. Beneath them, the ground was softer and cooler. I sat down to rest, my mind racing with questions. 

"How did I get here? am I the only one in this world? and how can I find a way back home?"

Just as I began to relax, a soft chime echoed through the air. I froze, listening intently. The chime repeated, rhythmic and melodic, coming from the direction of a nearby grove of glowing trees. My curiosity got the better of me, and I cautiously made my way toward the sound.

As I approached, I saw something glimmering on the ground. It was a small, intricately designed device, pulsing with blue light. Hesitantly, I reached down and picked it up. The moment my fingers made contact, the device hummed to life, projecting a holographic map into the air.

The map displayed the surrounding area, with several marked points of interest. One of the marks was glowing brighter than the others, and next to it was a symbol that looked vaguely like a shelter.

Holding the device, I decided to follow the map. This alien world was dangerous, but it also held secrets and tools that might just help me survive. As I set off toward the glowing marker, a newfound determination filled me. This was the start of an extraordinary journey, and I was ready to face whatever lay ahead.