ALISTER (Tales of evolution)

The unraveling

Elian’s body lay motionless, his eyes frozen in a permanent stare. But as the moments ticked by, a strange sensation began to build inside him.

 

A strange voice could be heard echoing in the emptiness of his mind. “ THE SKILL NAHILITY! HAS BEEN ACTIVATED”. It said

“WARNING!”

“WARNIGNG! ERRORS DETECTED”

“RECUIREMENTS FOR SKILL NAHILITY ARE INCOMPLETE, THIS MAY HAVE EFFECTS ON THE HOST BODY. PROCEEDING…” The voice said.

 

Suddenly! It started as a tingling In his fingers, a gentle buzzing that spread up his arms and into his chest. The sensation grew in intensity, until Elian’s entire body was vibrating with energy.

 

«Notice! Skill activation successful!»

 

Elian's eyes fluttered open, and he was met with a blinding sky light, swiftly looking away to the surrounding, it was all a blur of green. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear the haze from his mind. As his vision focused, he saw that he was lying on a bed of leaves in a dense forest.

 

He sat up slowly, his head spinning. The trees towered above him, their branches creaking in the gentle breeze. A faint scent of damp earth and decaying leaves filled the air.

 

Elian's gaze darted around the forest, trying to get his bearings. He had no idea how he got there or what had happened to him. The last thing he remembered was...was...

 

His mind recoiled as he recalled the gunshot. He touched his forehead, expecting to feel pain or a wound. But there was nothing.

 

What was going on? How did he survive? And where was he?

 

Elian scrambled to his feet, his eyes scanning the forest. But there was nothing. Only the trees, the leaves, and the oppressive silence.

 

Elian stood in a dense thicket of trees, the canopy above him a vibrant green, with sunlight filtering through the leaves in dappled patterns. The air was warm and humid, filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers and the earthy smell of damp soil.

 

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the whispers of ancient trees. The wind came from the west, carrying the faint hint of rain. Elian felt the soft caress of the breeze on his skin, rustling his hair.

 

In the distance, the chirping of birds and the rustling of small animals through the underbrush created a soothing background hum. A nearby stream babbled and splashed, its gentle melody weaving in and out of the forest’s symphony.

 

The lighting was soft and diffuse, with the sun likely at a low angle, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Elian estimated it was late afternoon, possibly around 4 or 5 pm.

 

As he looked around, Elian noticed the forest was a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees, with ferns and wildflowers carpeting the forest floor. The trees seemed to stretch up to the sky, their branches tangled together in a canopy of green.

 

Despite the peaceful atmosphere, Elian felt a sense of unease, as if he was being watched. He scanned his surroundings, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Shrugging it off, he took a deep breath and began to explore his surrounding.

 

Suddenly, he heard a faint rustling sound coming from a nearby bush. His curiosity piqued, he cautiously approached the bush, his senses on high alert.

 

As Elian peered into the bush, he was shocked to see a small, rabbit-like creature with a fluffy tail and oversized ears. But what really caught his attention was the creature’s body, which was covered in shimmering, iridescent fur that changed colors in the light.

 

The creature looked up at Elian with big, round eyes that sparkled. It twitched its whiskers and wiggled its nose, as if sensing Elian’s presence.

 

Elian’s initial shock gave way to wonder and curiosity. He slowly reached out a hand, and to his surprise, the creature nuzzled his palm, making a soft chirping sound.

 

Despite the strangeness of the encounter, Elian felt a sense of peace and calm wash over him.“ what are you?” He smiled, feeling a connection to this creature.

 

As Elian smiled, the creature suddenly darted away, its shimmering fur flashing in the sunlight. Elian, caught up in the excitement of the moment, took off after it.

 

"Hey, wait!" Elian called out. "Come back!"

 

The creature zigzagged through the underbrush, its little legs moving at an incredible speed. Elian chased after it, his feet pounding against the earth.

 

As he ran, the forest seemed to blur around him. Trees became a greenish-brown haze, and the sound of birdsong and rustling leaves merged into a single, exhilarating roar.

 

Elian felt alive, his senses heightened as he pursued the magical creature. He had no idea where they were going or what would happen when they got there, but he didn't care.

 

The thrill of the chase was all that mattered.

 

Elian chased after the creature, his feet pounding against the earth. The creature darted between the trees, its shimmering fur catching the sunlight and sending shafts of glittering light through the forest.

 

As Elian ran, he glanced above the creature, and his eyes widened in wonder. Between the trees, a brilliant light shone like a beacon, illuminating the forest floor. The creature was running straight towards the light.

 

Elian’s instincts screamed at him to stop, to turn back. But his curiosity and determination propelled him forward. He ignored the hesitation and continued running.

 

As he burst into the light, Elian raised his hand to shield his eyes from the intensity. The light was blinding, and he felt like he was being consumed by its radiance.

 

Slowly, his eyes adjusted to the light, and he lowered his hand. Raising his head, he beheld a wonder that took his breath away…

 

As Elian’s eyes adjusted to the light, he beheld a sight that left him awestruck. Before him lay a charming town, nestled in the heart of the forest. The town’s architecture was unlike anything Elian had ever seen. Buildings made of twisted wood, curved stone, and gleaming metals seemed to grow organically from the forest floor.

 

Cobbled stone paths wound through the town, lined with soft-glowing streetlights that cast a warm, ethereal light. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft hum of activity.

 

“Wha…What is this?” Elian’s gaze wandered through the town, taking in the fantastical buildings. There was a bakery shaped like a giant mushroom, its cap a vibrant red and white. Next to it stood a shop with a façade that resembled a dragon’s scales, shimmering in shades of emerald and sapphire.

 

People of all shapes and sizes bustled through the streets, going about their daily business. Some had animal-like features – ears, tails, wings, or Animal heads– while others seemed entirely human. Elian spotted a group of creatures with iridescent wings flitting about a market stall, examining colorful fabrics and sparkling trinkets.

 

Elian's eyes widened in stunned shock as he gazed upon the impossible sight before him. “What’s going on here? Where am I?” His mind struggled to comprehend the sheer impossibility of it all. An open town, with buildings that defied explanation and people who seemed to belong in an Anime or a Manga.

 

His thoughts reeled as he stumbled backwards, his feet moving of their own accord. He felt as though he had stumbled into the afterlife, one that was both fantastical and strange.

 

Elian's rational mind screamed at him that this couldn't be real, that it was some kind of illusion or hallucination. But his senses told him otherwise. The sights, sounds, and smells of the town were all too vivid, too real.

 

He felt like he was drowning in a sea of wonder and confusion, unable to grasp the sheer scale of what he was seeing. The world he thought he knew had been turned upside down, and Elian was left stumbling in the wreckage.

 

The creature Elian had chased, the small, rabbit-like being, was now standing beside him, looking up at him with big, round eyes.

 

Elian walked through the winding streets, his eyes wide with wonder. Every step revealed a new marvel: a building that seemed to defy gravity, a creature with iridescent wings flitting about a market stall, a group of beings playing instruments that sounded like nothing he’d ever heard.

 

As he walked, Elian felt the weight of curious gazes upon him. The inhabitants of the town, with their varied shapes, sizes, and features, stared at him with a mixture of fascination and suspicion. His modern clothes, which had seemed perfectly ordinary in his own world, now felt awkward and conspicuous amidst the town’s fantastical attire – or lack thereof.

 

Elian tried to appear nonchalant, but his awe-struck expression probably gave him away. He stumbled slightly on the uneven cobblestones, earning a few chuckles from the onlookers.

 

As he walked, his attention was quickly captured by the scenery. Unexpectedly, he accidentally bumped into something that sent him falling to his butt.

 

Raising his head, Elian’s eyes widened as he scrambled to his feet, his heart racing. A giant, wolf-like creature loomed over him, its piercing yellow eyes seeming to bore into his soul. The wolf’s thick, blue fur glistened in the sunlight, and its brown singlet and trousers appeared oddly out of place on its majestic, wild form.

 

Elian’s instincts kicked in, and he reflexively reached for his gun, only to realize it wasn’t there. Panic set in as he frantically patted his empty holsters. Where was his gun?

 

The wolf, seemingly amused by Elian’s distress, “Oh, I’m so sorry sir, didn’t see you there”, he said, a warm smile on his face. He walked passed, Its tail wagged lazily behind it, and Elian watch the wolf man walk passed.

 

Elian’s eyes remained fixed on the wolf as it walked away, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. He had expected anger, aggression, or at the very least, a growl. But instead, the wolf had apologized and calmly walked off.

 

Elian’s shock was compounded by the realization that he had understood the wolf’s words perfectly. He hadn’t expected the wolf to speak English, let alone with such a deep, rumbling voice.

 

As he watched the wolf disappear into the crowd, Elian couldn’t help but wonder what other surprises this strange world had in store for him. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that lingered within him.

 

Just as Elian was about to continue exploring, he heard a faint voice behind him.

 

“Hey, you’re new around here, aren’t you?”

 

Elian turned to face the speaker, his heart still racing from the unexpected encounter with the wolf.

 

Before him was a man, he was skinny, his skin wrinkled, on his face was a long mustache, and his gray hair spoke of his long past youth.

Besides his old age, he had other distinctive features; A long brown tail, and catlike ear’s. He was obviously not human.

 

“My name is Joe, nice to meet you” the old timer said.

 

Elian hesitated to respond, however, the strange old man didn’t seem hostile, “I’m Elian… Elian Vale”

“Nice to meet you Elian, it’snot everyday we get new visitors in this town.” the old timer replied

 

Joe offered Elian a warm smile. “Hey, stranger, I’d love to give you a tour of Brindlemark. We’ve got some amazing sights to see.”

As Elian nodded in agreement, Joe’s smile broadened. “Great! Let’s explore the town. I’ll show you some of our favorite spots.”

 

Joe led Elian through the winding streets, pointing out various shops and landmarks. They walked past a bustling café, a vintage bookstore, and a colorful market stall.

As they strolled, Elian took in the sights and sounds of the town. He noticed the eclectic mix of architecture, the friendly locals, and the overall sense of community.

 

Elian stopped walking and turned to Joe. “Hey, can I ask you something?” he said, a hint of concern creeping into his voice.

Joe’s smile faltered slightly. “Of course, what’s on your mind?”

Elian took a deep breath. “Where am I? I don’t remember how I got here. I was in Tokyo, and…and now I’m here. Can you help me get back?”

 

Joe’s expression turned sympathetic. “I see,” he said softly. “Sadly, I’ve never heard of Tokyo before. I’m not sure how you got here, but I can try to help you find your way back.”

 

Elian’s eyes narrowed. “Really, thank you so much sir!” he thanked “Where is this place anyway?” he added.

 

Joe hesitated before answering. “This is the town of Brindlemark, a small town of Demi-humans.”

 

Elian’s eyes widened in confusion. “Demi-humans?”

 

Joe’s tail twitched slightly as he hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “Demi-humans are beings with human-like qualities, but also with characteristics from other species. Like me, for example.” Joe gestured to his ears, which were slightly pointed, and his eyes, which seemed to gleam with a feline intensity. “I’m half-cat, half-human.”

 

Elian’s eyes widened further as he took in Joe’s features. “Half-cat?” he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

 

Joe nodded, his whiskers twitching. “Yes, that’s right. And Brindlemark is a community of Demi-humans, all living together in harmony. We have our own culture, traditions, and way of life.”

Elian’s mind was reeling with questions and implications. He stumbled backward, feeling overwhelmed. “I…I don’t understand,” he stammered. “How did I get here? How can I get back to Tokyo?”

 

Joe’s expression turned sympathetic. “I’m sorry, Elian. I wish I had the answers for you. But I promise, we’ll do everything we can to help you find a way back home.”

Joe pointed down the street, his tail twitching with excitement. “You see that building over there?” he asked, nodding towards a rustic, wooden structure with a sloping roof and a sign creaking in the gentle breeze.

The sign read “The Red Griffin Bar” in bold, crimson letters,.

“Go there and ask  for a man named Iroh,” Joe instructed, his eyes serious. “He’s an old traveler who’s been all over the vast lands. He's got a map that's supposed to show every road, every trail, and every hidden path. If anyone can help you find your way back to this Tokyo place, it’s him.”

 

Elian’s eyes narrowed, determination burning within him. “Alright, I’ll go see him, thanks for all your help.”

 

Joe nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Be careful, Elian. The Red Griffin can be a rough place, especially for strangers.”

 

With that, Elian set off towards the bar, his heart pounding with anticipation. What would he find inside?