Dimension shuffler

Chapter 2: A world of chaos, tragedy and mystery

Going through the portal was kind of like flying, or at least what Stephen pictured flying to be like, actual flying, not like in an airplane. Although if that is what people called a "bird's eye view," it wasn't exactly the picturesque experience Stephen imagined. Just purple swirls everywhere, just like the portal itself.

Without any warning, Stephen was deposited face-first into what seemed to be sand, though I wasn't very deep, and the momentum kept him sliding for a bit, accumulating a small dune. Thankfully the suit prevented what could have possibly been the worst friction burn ever experienced. Slightly annoyed, Stephen sat up and observed his surroundings and what he saw astonished him.

Before him was a mechanical wasteland. Broken robots and homes on fire surrounded him. In the distance stood an giant factory with the towers above spewing pollution into the air. His gaze reaching the sky, he noticed it was not the same blue ocean but rather an orange sea as if the clouds were on fire. People were running, screaming and crying. Many clutching to small children who were either fast asleep or creating rivers down their faces. To his right was a vast desert that had buildings scattered across it, most were either also on fire or heavily damaged. Many people were heading in that direction.

A bunch of armed troops headed in the other direction. They wore all black and their helmets had "UNIT" written in white bold letters on them. Stephen couldn't see what they were running towards but it must have been serious.

Before fully aware of his next actions, Stephen was dragged to his feet by a girl with scarlet hair and forced to run alongside her, "Are you an idiot? You need to get out of here!" She did not once look at him or release her grip. She wore red and white armour and carried a sword around her waist.

"I am not an idiot!" he retorted, "I'm dumped into the middle of a warzone and you expect me to have full comprehension of my surroundings?"

"How was I supposed to know that? Besides, it doesn't take much intelligence to follow screaming masses!"

"Oh sure! Meanwhile, I'm being dragged to parts unknown by a sword-wielding stranger! Just who are you anyway?" Suddenly a blue light emerged from the top of Stephen's helmet and passed over the girl, causing her to drop him. She stared at him in confusion and anger as the helmet lit up with various images and facts about the girl.

"Name: Paz Gullzervan. Age: Sixteen." A computer chimed in.

"What the-?" Stephen stared at the information. Quickly, Paz's sword was raised at him.

"What's the meaning of this? Where did you get that information?" she demanded.

"Hey! You know about as much as I do. All I know is a portal stranded me here and-"

"What do you know of the portals?" Her tone seemed more curious and she slightly lowered the sword. Before he could answer, a loud explosion could be heard and a UNIT helmet landed in the nearby sand. "We need to move. Follow me. You can explain when we get there." She grabbed his arm once again and pulled him through the expanding deserts ahead seemingly un-phased by the extra weight while Stephen struggled to maintain his footing.

"I can explain? I don't-," The 'conversation' they just had sprung to mind, "You know what, never mind." Stephen gave up in his argument as they headed towards what appeared to be a crudely built shack...