Reborn Engineer

Chapter 2 : The First Steps

John Parker was no stranger to strange dreams, but this one was different. He found himself standing in a vast, unfamiliar landscape—a place where the laws of nature seemed to bend and twist with every step he took. The ground beneath him was soft, almost like sand, but it shimmered with an otherworldly glow. The sky above was a deep, swirling vortex of colors, shifting from dark purples to vibrant greens and blues. It was beautiful and terrifying all at once.

He looked down at his hands, expecting to see the familiar calloused fingers that had built so many inventions. But they were different—smoother, younger. He felt stronger, lighter, as if the years of wear and tear had been erased. The heartache and exhaustion that had plagued him before seemed like distant memories, replaced by a strange, invigorating energy.

"What is this place?" John whispered, though he wasn't sure who he was asking. His voice echoed in the empty space around him, carried by the strange, shimmering air.

As if in response to his question, a figure appeared in the distance, slowly coming into focus as it approached him. John tensed, unsure of what to expect. The figure was tall, cloaked in a flowing robe that seemed to merge with the shifting colors of the sky. Its face was obscured by a hood, but John could feel its eyes on him, watching him with an intensity that made his skin prickle.

"You have awakened," the figure said, its voice deep and resonant, echoing in the vast expanse around them. "Welcome to the world beyond."

John blinked, trying to make sense of the situation. "World beyond? What do you mean? Where am I?"

"This is a place between worlds," the figure replied, its tone calm and patient. "A realm where souls like yours are given a second chance."

"Second chance?" John echoed, confusion swirling in his mind. "What are you talking about? Am I... dead?"

The figure tilted its head slightly, as if considering the question. "In a sense, yes. The world you knew is no longer your home. You have been given a rare opportunity, John Parker—a chance to begin anew in a different world, one where your dreams may yet be realized."

John's heart pounded in his chest. A different world? The thought was as exhilarating as it was terrifying. He had always been fascinated by the idea of parallel universes, of other dimensions where the rules of reality were different. But this? This was beyond anything he had ever imagined.

"Why me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why have I been given this chance?"

The figure seemed to smile, though its face remained hidden. "Because you have the potential to change the course of history. In your world, you were on the brink of greatness, but circumstances held you back. Here, you will have the freedom to pursue your dreams without the constraints that bound you before. But be warned—this world is not without its challenges. It is a place of magic and mystery, where technology is scarce, and the power to shape reality lies in the hands of those who understand its secrets."

John's mind raced as he tried to process what he was hearing. A world of magic? It sounded like something out of a fantasy novel, not the kind of place where an engineer like him would belong. But as he looked around at the strange, shimmering landscape, he realized that there was no denying the reality of his situation. This was real—more real than anything he had ever experienced before.

"What am I supposed to do in this world?" John asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his mind.

"Create," the figure replied simply. "You have been granted a gift, John—a system that will allow you to harness the power of this world and bend it to your will. With it, you can create anything you desire, from the simplest of tools to the most complex of machines. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. The choices you make will shape not only your destiny but the destiny of this world as well."