I sit here, holding my side in pain. I try to scream for help but I cannot make a sound. Suddenly, the veins in my hand down to my arm start glowing this light purple up until the wound on my side. Once it reaches, there’s a feeling of freshness before I watch the wound patch itself up, almost as if stitches were being stitched right in front of my own eyes.

The pain fades, replaced by a strange, pulsing energy coursing through my body. I push myself up, as I feel stronger, senses are heightened, more aware of everything around me. I feel more charged, stronger and faster than before. Yet, I walk into my apartment, falling asleep.

The day starts off normal enough, but I can feel that energy pulsing under my skin again. I need to know what’s happening to me, what this power is. After yesterday’s encounter, I know I have to understand it, or it’ll control me.

Then I feel it, that sense that someone’s watching me. I turn, and there, standing in the middle of the street, is this shadowy figure. He’s smaller than the one who attacked me before, but there’s something wild in his eyes, and he’s grinning like he’s just found his next victim.

“So, the Crownless King,” he sneers, dark energy crackling in his hands. “Let’s see if you’re as tough as they say.”

Before I can even respond, he’s charging at me. Instinct takes over, and my body moves faster than my thoughts. My fist connects with his, and a jolt of strength shoots through me, sending him stumbling back. I barely have time to process what just happened before he’s back up, coming at me with another attack.

Purple veins flare down my arm as I dodge, feeling faster and lighter. I hit him again, feeling power coiling up in my muscles. Shadows gather around him, twisting like smoke, and he lets out a low laugh, raising one hand and snapping his fingers.

Suddenly, the world around me spins and blurs. The street vanishes, replaced by a dark, twisted landscape with eerie shapes and a blood red sky. Shadows move like they’re alive here, wrapping around us, and the air is cold and sharp.

“Welcome to my dimension,” he sneers, circling me. “Not so tough now, are you?”

I brace myself, trying to keep my focus. I can feel my strength here, growing with each move I make. This place feels like it’s fueling me somehow. When he lunges at me again, I dodge easily, then hit him hard enough to send him flying across the ground.

Just as I’m ready to finish him off, a slow clap echoes through the twisted space. I turn and see a throne, shadowed and grand, sitting at the center. On the throne lounges a man, or something close to one. He’s dressed in a flowing white outfit, adorned with gold jewelry, his body covered in elaborate markings. His hair is light and tousled, his gaze playful but intense. His eyes are impossible to miss, they’re shaped like crosses, glowing bright and cold.

“Well, well. I have to say, that was some impressive work,” he says, still clapping slowly, almost mockingly. “Tossing my little friend here like a rag doll? Not bad, kid. Not bad at all.”

He stands up from the throne, stretching his arms like he’s just woken up from a nap. “Let me guess, you’re still figuring out what you can do, huh?” He laughs, tilting his head, watching me like he’s trying to decide if I’m amusing or just pathetic. “Oh, this is going to be good.”

I narrow my eyes, bracing myself as he takes a few casual steps toward me. “Who are you?”

“Who am I?” He smirks, raising an eyebrow like I just told the funniest joke. “Call me Moon. Lord Moon if you want to get fancy, but really, I prefer Moon.” He waves a hand dramatically. “Titles are such a bore, don’t you think?”

The low level fighter, still lying where I threw him, manages a weak nod. “Yes, Lord Moon. Very boring.”

Moon rolls his eyes. “Relax, would you? Always so serious.” Then, looking back at me, he grins again, his eyes shining. “You’re really making a mess of things, Crownless King. You know that, right? Just stomping around, trying to look all brave and tough.”

I glare at him, trying not to show how much he’s throwing me off. “I didn’t ask for any of this.”

“Oh, nobody ever does!” he laughs, throwing his head back. “But here you are, Crownless and clueless. What a combo.”

He leans in, eyes narrowing as his grin grows wider. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with, do you?” His voice drops, carrying a mix of humor and something darker. “And that, my friend, is the most fun part of all.”

Then, suddenly, he straightens, brushing off his clothes with exaggerated care. “Well, hate to cut this short, but I’ve got places to be, things to mess with.” He winks. “But don’t worry, kid, we’ll be seeing each other again. Soon.”

Without another word, he steps back into the shadows, his laugh echoing around me until I’m back on the street. The twisted dimension is gone, but his words linger, his mocking grin still burned into my mind.

I stand. Breathing deeply I watch as the twisted dimension fades away. It fades as if it had never been there. What remains is the street. It looks just like it did before. It is quiet and empty. A strange calmness looms in the air. My heart beats in my chest. My mind is working hard. It is trying to comprehend all that just happened.

There was Moon. There was a throne. A fight broke out. All now feels like a dream. Except, there's still energy. It buzzes beneath my skin. It's a reminder. A reminder of what was reality.

A sharp pain jolts in my side. I was hurt there. Light purple glows on my veins. It fades slowly. I take a deep breath. I'm trying to calm down. But those eyes, they seem to not leave my mind.

It's then I see something odd. Something under my foot catches my eye. I look down. My eyes widened. Symbol burned into the pavement. It’s a pair of crosses. They overlap in a circle. A faint glow emanates from it. Like a dying ember. This was done on purpose. It looks like Moon's eyes. No fear arises in me when I look at it. Something else. A sense of weight on me. It feels like a warning.

I kneel down. My hand hovers over the mark. Not cold like I expect. There's life in it. Gentle warmth arises from it. It feels wordless like it’s trying to tell me something. It feels heavy with meaning. Whatever is coming. It's far larger than anything I can imagine.

I glance back at the man I fought. He's against the wall slumped barely conscious. Fear flickers in his eyes. Yet it's unlike the fear I saw with Moon around. This time it’s different. He knows what the symbol means. It’s about something big. Not just Moon. It's something even larger. Something worse.

I grab him by the collar and lift him. He stands before me, wincing. His gaze shifts to the symbol. Then back to me. "You don't understand," he mutters. His voice shakes. "This is more than Moon. The war it’s truly bad. Everyone believes they can control it. But they can't." My frown deepens my grip tightens. "What war?"

He swallows. He doesn't want to be here. "The war between Heaven and Hell. That one Moon spoke of. It's on the way. No one will be able to control it. You think you're strong. But you are one small piece in it. You don't know what you're facing."

His gaze remains on the symbol. He slumps to the ground.

I look at the symbol again. It seems to glow with more weight now. What's coming I don't know. But it's clear I haven't faced it before. Moon may not be an enemy. Not yet. But this war will change everything.

I stand up. One last glance at the symbol. Then I turn away. I must search for answers. I need to build strength. War could be coming. Being ready is a must.