The Upside Down World
936 Words
Dexter woke up with a gasping breath. His mind was spinning, trying to comprehend where he was. His body felt heavy as if gravity were twice as strong as Earth's.
He slowly opened his eyes. The sky above him was not the usual blue but a deep red, with purple clouds shimmering like glass. The ground beneath him was rough and shiny black, resembling obsidian. However, the most striking feature was the absolute silence. There were no birds, no wind, or even the sound of his footsteps.
"Am I still alive?" he murmured, his voice sounding strange, echoing as though it pierced through another dimension.
Dexter tried to stand, but the strange gravity made his body sway. After a few moments, he finally managed to adjust. In the distance, he saw the silhouette of a large structure, appearing like a majestic ruin. It was the only sign of life in this bizarre place.
With careful steps, Dexter began walking toward the building. Each step felt like a struggle. The ground beneath him was black and reflected his own shadow, as though the Earth itself was alive and watching. Dexter felt his body growing heavier but forced himself to keep moving.
As he approached the building, he heard a faint sound, like a whisper repeating itself. The sound had no apparent source, but it felt like it came from within his mind.
"Welcome..."
Dexter halted, his body tensing. "Who's there?!" he shouted, eyes scanning the surroundings.
There was no answer, only the silence returning to take over.
Finally, he reached the building, which turned out to be a massive temple of dark stone adorned with strange carvings. The carvings seemed to slow down as if dancing to an incomprehensible rhythm. The temple's entrance was wide open, inviting him in.
Dexter swallowed and stepped inside the temple. Inside, he found something that left him stunned. A glowing energy sphere was in the large, dark room. It pulsed like a heartbeat, and floating circles of glowing symbols hovered around it.
As Dexter approached, he felt his body suddenly lighter. The strange gravity that had weighed him down seemed to disappear as if the energy sphere had created its gravitational field.
"What is this?" he muttered, his eyes fixed on the sphere.
Suddenly, another voice rang out, this time clearer and sharper. "Don't touch that."
Dexter turned quickly. At the entrance stood a man. The hood of a black robe hid his face, but his eyes glowed with a piercing blue light.
"Who are you?" Dexter asked, feeling alert.
The man didn't respond immediately. He stepped closer, his footsteps silent. "I am the guardian of this portal. And you, you do not belong to this world."
Dexter furrowed his brow. "I'm here because of the black hole. I was sent to explore this dimension. Who are you, and what are you guarding here?"
The man chuckled softly, his voice cold. "You think you're an explorer? No, you are a pawn. And Groot, the organization that sent you, has not told you the truth."
Those words hit Dexter hard. "What do you mean?"
The man raised his hand, pointing at the energy sphere in the center of the room. "This is the core of all dimensions. The black hole you passed through was merely a gateway, but its true purpose is this. Groot wants to control this for their own power. You, Dexter Koa, are just their tool."
Dexter felt a mix of anger and confusion rise within him. "You're wrong. I'm here on an exploration mission, not to destroy anything."
The man moved closer, just a few steps from Dexter. "If that's what you believe, then I won't stop you. But beware, every step you take here has consequences."
Before Dexter could respond, the man vanished like a shadow absorbed by the air.
Dexter turned his gaze back to the energy sphere. The man's words echoed in his mind, making him doubt everything he knew about Groot and his mission. Yet, despite all the uncertainty, Dexter knew he couldn't turn back.
With firm steps, Dexter approached the energy sphere, extending his hand. The moment he touched its surface, the world around him erupted into light. Dexter was again thrown into another dimension, but this time, he was not alone. Standing before him was someone whose face was familiar: Gabriela.
"What are you doing here?" Dexter whispered hoarsely, his eyes wide with disbelief.
But Gabriela didn't answer. She stared at Dexter with eyes full of mystery, as if holding a secret she had never shared. Dexter stared at her in confusion. The woman who should have been far back on Earth stood before him in this strange, enigmatic world. But there was something different. Gabriela looked the same, but her expression was cold. The eyes that were once full of affection now held a mystery.
"Gabriela? Is it really you?" Dexter stepped forward, trying to confirm that this was not just an illusion.
Gabriela didn't answer right away. She just smiled faintly, a smile that felt foreign to Dexter. "You shouldn't be here, Dexter."
"What do you mean? How can you be here?"
Gabriela stepped closer, her movements graceful yet firm. Dexter grew even more confused. "There's a lot you don't know, Dex. The black hole you passed through wasn't just a door to this dimension, but also a prison. And me? I've long been part of it."
Dexter shook his head in disbelief.
"A prison? What are you talking about? I'm here to explore this dimension, to find answers. And you—you shouldn't be here. What's really going on?"
- Writer
