The Immortal Fabricator

Chapter 3: The Cloak of Shadows

I left the small house before the woman could gather her wits. She was terrified—awed, yes, but the fear in her eyes was unmistakable. This world's people clearly weren't familiar with the kind of power I possessed, and until I understood more about this place, it was best to avoid drawing too much attention. 

The light was fading, casting long shadows across the landscape as I walked deeper into the forest. My thoughts churned. That woman believed I was some celestial being, a figure from their myths or religion. The idea was ridiculous to me, but it served as a stark reminder: in this world, I was an anomaly. A threat, even.

"Stay hidden," I whispered to myself. "Don't stand out. Learn the rules before you break them."

I glanced down at my hand, recalling the strange energy that had swirled around my fingers earlier. The feeling had been unsettling and exhilarating at the same time. A power that defied the logic of science, yet responded to my will as easily as if I were guiding a machine.

Magic. It had to be.

As much as I hated to admit it, everything in this world pointed to that conclusion. I could feel the energy in the air, a force I'd never encountered before. Somehow, I had gained the ability to manipulate it. And if the people here were as ignorant of advanced technology as I suspected, this magic—my power—would be my greatest asset.

Or my greatest curse.

I stopped walking, finding a secluded spot under the thick canopy of trees. The forest was eerily quiet, the air heavy with moisture and the faint scent of earth. I sat on a fallen log, my mind buzzing with possibilities.

The first thing I needed to do was figure out how to control this power. It seemed to respond to my thoughts, but that wasn't enough. I needed precision, focus. If I could create anything with this magic, I had to start small.

Something practical.

I held out my hand, concentrating. The air around me felt charged, buzzing with potential. I could sense it now, the flow of energy through the world, like an invisible current. Slowly, I focused on an image in my mind—a cloak, something simple but effective. I pictured the fabric, dark and flowing, with a hood to conceal my face.

For a moment, nothing happened. My brow furrowed in concentration, frustration creeping in. I could feel the power, but it wasn't obeying me.

"Focus," I muttered, gritting my teeth.

And then, it happened. The air around my hand shimmered, and before my eyes, strands of dark material began to form. They wove together, piece by piece, until the cloak took shape. It was like watching threads materialize from nothing, bending to my will.

The cloak hovered in the air for a moment before falling softly into my outstretched hands. The fabric was smooth, cool to the touch, and impossibly light. It looked exactly as I had imagined—dark as the night, with a hood deep enough to conceal my silver hair and striking features.

I exhaled slowly, a small smile tugging at my lips. I did it.

I slipped the cloak over my shoulders, pulling the hood up. Immediately, I felt a sense of relief, as if the weight of being constantly noticed had lifted. I could blend in now, disappear into the background when necessary. No more drawing unwanted attention.

But more than that, I realized the implications of what I'd just done. If I could create something as intricate as a cloak out of thin air, what else could I do? Could I build weapons? Tools? Entire structures? The possibilities were limitless—and that made me dangerous.

"I have to be careful with this," I whispered, gripping the edges of the cloak.

This power could easily spiral out of control if I didn't understand its limits. I needed to train, to practice in secret. The people of this world couldn't know what I was capable of—not yet. I had to play the role of the mysterious traveler, someone unremarkable, while I learned everything I could.

The forest darkened as night fell, the shadows thickening around me. I decided to stay here for the night, away from prying eyes. It wasn't the most comfortable option, but I had no intention of wandering into more villages before I knew what I was dealing with. Besides, if I could conjure a cloak, I could easily make a blanket or even a small shelter if I wanted.

But not tonight. Tonight, I needed to rest and let my mind process everything that had happened.

As I lay on the ground, my cloak wrapped around me, I gazed up at the unfamiliar stars twinkling through the branches overhead. My mind raced, filled with thoughts of what this world might hold. Magic beasts, immortals... these were the things of fantasy in my world, but here, they were real. I had to tread carefully.

A gust of wind rustled the leaves above, and for a moment, I thought I heard a distant roar. A low, rumbling sound that sent a chill down my spine. Dragons, maybe? I closed my eyes, pushing the thought away. I'd deal with that problem when it came.

For now, I had one goal: learn to survive in this world without revealing my true strength. If the cloak was my first step, there would be many more to follow.

As exhaustion tugged at my mind, one last thought lingered before sleep claimed me.

I was alone in this world, but I wouldn't be weak.

No one would control me here. Not ever.