Darkness. An endless void where time and space blended into nothingness. He couldn’t see, couldn’t feel. It was as though he had been swallowed by oblivion itself. Was he alive, or was this death? 
Suddenly, a light flickered in the distance, faint at first, but growing brighter and more distinct. In a flash, he found himself standing on solid ground, though the floor was a marble of stars swirling beneath his feet. The sky above shimmered like a nebula, full of strange constellations and brilliant cosmic light. He felt an overwhelming presence all around him, as if the very air was watching, waiting.
"Where... am I?" His voice sounded weak and foreign to him.
"Welcome to the God Realm, mortal," a deep, resonant voice replied. It reverberated through the space, causing the stars around him to pulse. A figure appeared before him, draped in golden robes that shimmered like sunlight, his eyes glowing with the same brilliance as the stars overhead.
"W-Who are you?" the man stammered, his heart pounding as he took in the ethereal figure.
The figure smiled faintly. "I am Tharon, god of time. You stand at the intersection between life and death, caught in the threads of fate. Your body remains in the mortal realm, broken and comatose. But your soul... your soul has been brought here for a purpose."
"Purpose?" The man struggled to understand. His memories were foggy, like distant dreams slipping through his fingers. "Why am I here?"
Another voice, gentle yet commanding, echoed from behind him. "You are here because you are chosen." He turned to see a woman in a flowing gown of pale blue, her long hair rippling like water. Her eyes, clear as crystal lakes, gazed into his soul. "I am Vanya, goddess of wisdom. Your path has been altered. Your destiny is no longer bound by mortal limitations."
"But I don't understand. I’m just... an ordinary man. How can I be chosen?" He clenched his fists, confusion clouding his thoughts.
"Ordinary?" Vanya raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "Do you truly believe that?"
Before he could respond, a massive figure stepped forward, his bare chest rippling with muscle. He carried a great warhammer on his back, and his eyes glowed like molten lava. "You have the spirit of a warrior," the figure rumbled. "I am Korvan, god of strength and war. I’ve watched your battles—seen your perseverance. Weak, yes. But weak things can become strong."
The man felt a strange fire ignite in his chest. "Warrior? Battles? I don’t remember any of that. How do you know me?"
Korvan chuckled, his voice a low growl. "Your soul has always fought, even when your body failed you."
Tharon stepped forward once more, his golden robes billowing in an unseen wind. "Time is fleeting for mortals, and yet you stand on the precipice of something greater. The gods have brought you here to train you, to awaken the power within you."
"Train me?" the man asked, blinking in disbelief. "Train me for what?"
A new voice, melodic and almost musical, answered from the shadows. "For what is to come." A slender figure emerged, cloaked in silver mist, their eyes gleaming like the moon. "I am Elara, goddess of the moon and shadow. Dark times are approaching your world. Chaos, war, destruction. You, mortal, will play a pivotal role. But first, you must be prepared."
The man looked around at the gathering of gods, feeling dwarfed by their presence. His mind raced, trying to make sense of it all. "But... I'm not special. How can I be the one to stop whatever's coming? I don't even know who I am anymore."
"You will remember," Vanya assured him softly. "In time. But first, you must learn."
"And we will teach you," Korvan added, cracking his knuckles. "You will become stronger than any mortal has ever been."
"You will master time," Tharon said, his voice echoing through eternity. "Bend it to your will."
"You will learn wisdom beyond your years," Vanya continued, her eyes gleaming with ancient knowledge. "And see through the veils that cloud your mind."
"And you will wield the shadows," Elara whispered, her voice like a breeze in the night. "Control the darkness within and without."
The man swallowed hard, feeling the weight of their words press down on him. "But... what if I fail? What if I can’t handle all of this?"
"Failure is not an option," Korvan said sternly, his eyes burning with intensity. "You will succeed because you must."
"Besides," Vanya added, her tone softer, "you are not alone. We will guide you every step of the way."
Tharon nodded solemnly. "Time bends to those who are worthy. And you, mortal, have more worth than you yet realize."
The man looked down at his hands, feeling the pulse of energy beneath his skin. For the first time, he felt something stirring inside him, a flicker of power that he had never known before. Was this what the gods saw in him? The potential they believed in? He wasn’t sure. But the fire in Korvan’s eyes, the wisdom in Vanya’s gaze, the cold serenity in Elara’s presence, and the timeless certainty of Tharon’s words—together they formed a weight he couldn’t deny.
"I... I'll do it," he said, his voice steadier now. "I’ll train. I’ll learn. But you have to tell me—who am I? What is my name?"
For a moment, there was silence. The gods exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. Then Vanya stepped forward, placing a hand gently on his forehead. Her touch was cool and soothing, like water flowing through his mind.
"You are Davin," she said softly, her voice like a distant memory. "A man who once lived a life full of struggle. A man who fell into darkness... but has been given a second chance. Remember this name, for it will guide you back to who you are meant to be."
"Davin..." He whispered the name, letting it settle within him. It felt strange, but familiar, like a piece of a puzzle slotting into place.
Korvan clapped him on the back, nearly knocking him over. "Now that’s settled, let’s get started! The training will be brutal, but you'll come out stronger than you can imagine."
Davin took a deep breath, straightening his posture. "I'm ready."
"Then follow me," Korvan said, his booming voice filled with anticipation. "First, we begin with strength."
The god of war led him forward, the stars shifting under their feet as the scene around them changed. What had been a serene, cosmic space was now a battlefield, the sky dark and brooding. Massive boulders and mountains surrounded them, and in the distance, Davin could hear the clash of weapons and the roar of battle.
"Here," Korvan said, tossing him a massive sword that appeared out of thin air. "You will learn the ways of combat. You will fight until your body breaks, and when it does, you will get up and fight again."
Davin gripped the sword, his hands trembling from its weight. "What if I can’t do it?"
"You will," Korvan growled, his eyes narrowing. "Because you have no choice."
Before Davin could respond, the ground shook, and a monstrous figure emerged from the shadows—a towering beast with fiery eyes and claws as long as swords.
"Fight," Korvan commanded.
Davin’s heart raced, and he barely had time to lift his sword before the beast lunged at him. He swung wildly, but the creature batted him aside like a rag doll, sending him crashing into a rock.
Pain shot through his body, and he gasped for breath, struggling to stand.
"Get up!" Korvan roared. "Do you think the enemy will wait for you to recover?"
Davin gritted his teeth, forcing himself to his feet. The beast was coming for him again, its fiery breath hot on his face. This time, he steadied his stance, gripping the sword with both hands.
As the beast charged, Davin let out a shout, swinging with all his might. The sword connected with the creature’s arm, and it howled in pain, but didn’t fall.
"Again!" Korvan shouted. "Strike until it falls!"
With every ounce of strength he had left, Davin raised the sword again, slashing at the beast's legs. It stumbled, its fiery eyes flickering, and with one final, desperate swing, Davin brought the sword down on its neck. The creature let out a final roar before collapsing in a heap.
Davin stood over the fallen beast, his chest heaving, sweat and blood dripping from his body.
Korvan approached, his expression unreadable. Then, to Davin’s surprise, he smiled. "Not bad... for a mortal."
Davin couldn’t help but smile back, despite the pain wracking his body.
"This is only the beginning," Korvan said, his voice filled with grim satisfaction. "You’ve survived your first battle. But many more await you." 
And so, Davin’s journey began—under the guidance of the gods, with the weight of destiny pressing down on him. But deep within, a spark had been lit.
Davin's body ached from the battle with the beast. Every muscle screamed in agony as he struggled to follow Korvan through the battlefield. The god of war led him onward without so much as a glance back, his massive form cutting through the dark landscape like a blade through mist.
"Keep up, mortal!" Korvan bellowed, his voice booming across the mountain range. "You will have no rest. Not here. Not until you are worthy."
Davin gritted his teeth, forcing his legs to move. Every step was a battle in itself, his limbs heavy as though weighed down by lead. The creature he had fought was a towering monstrosity, and though he had managed to defeat it, the victory felt hollow. He had barely survived, and his body was already at its limit.
"What’s next?" Davin asked, his breath ragged as he finally caught up to Korvan. "More beasts? More fighting?"
Korvan stopped and turned, his molten eyes scanning Davin's bruised and battered form. "You’ve barely begun to understand what it means to fight. But first, you must recover."
Davin frowned. "Recover? You just said there was no rest."
The war god smirked. "Did I say anything about rest? No. Recovery is different." He lifted a massive hand, and the ground beneath them rumbled. From the earth, glowing pools of molten energy began to rise, their light pulsing with heat.
"What is this?" Davin asked, squinting against the light.
Korvan gestured toward the pools. "Step into the flames, mortal. Let them burn away your weakness."
Davin stared at the pools, the heat radiating from them making his skin prickle. "You want me to... step into fire?"
Korvan’s grin widened, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Afraid of a little pain?"
Davin clenched his fists. The gods hadn’t brought him here to cower. Without another word, he stepped forward, bracing himself as he plunged his foot into the molten pool. To his surprise, the liquid wasn’t searing hot—it was warm, soothing even, and as he stepped in fully, he felt his pain begin to melt away.
"It doesn’t burn..." Davin muttered in disbelief, his body slowly sinking into the glowing liquid. 
"It’s no ordinary flame," Korvan said, folding his massive arms across his chest. "These fires are born of the gods. They will heal you, but they will also test you. If you are weak of spirit, they will consume you."
Davin nodded, closing his eyes as the flames licked at his skin, pulling the pain from his body. He could feel his muscles knitting back together, his bones realigning. The exhaustion that had weighed him down was being replaced by a new strength, a power that surged through his veins.
Korvan watched in silence for a few moments before speaking again. "You have a long path ahead, Davin. Each step will be harder than the last. This is only the beginning."
Davin opened his eyes, meeting Korvan’s gaze. "I understand."
"Good." Korvan turned on his heel, walking away from the pool. "But I won’t be your only teacher. Others await you. Vanya is eager to test your mind."
As Korvan walked away, the flames surrounding Davin began to fade, and he stepped out of the molten pool, feeling rejuvenated. His body, once bruised and broken, now felt stronger than it ever had. But before he could savor the feeling, a soft voice drifted through the air.
"Are you ready, Davin?"
He turned to see Vanya, the goddess of wisdom, standing a few feet away, her pale blue robes shimmering in the dim light of the battlefield. Her serene expression was a stark contrast to Korvan’s fiery intensity.
"Ready for what?" Davin asked, his voice steadier now that the pain had left him.
"Your mind is as important as your strength," Vanya replied, her eyes gleaming with quiet intelligence. "You will need both in the trials ahead. Come with me."
Davin hesitated, glancing back at Korvan, who had now vanished into the mist. He had only just begun to understand what it meant to fight. Now, he was expected to confront something entirely different.
"Don’t worry," Vanya said softly, sensing his hesitation. "You’ve proven your resilience in battle. Now, it’s time to sharpen your mind."
She extended her hand, and Davin stepped forward, grasping it. The moment he touched her, the world around him shifted. The battlefield disappeared, replaced by a tranquil garden filled with towering trees and soft, glowing lanterns. The air was cool, and a gentle breeze whispered through the leaves.
"Where are we?" Davin asked, looking around in awe. 
"This is a place of learning," Vanya explained. "Here, you will be tested in ways that brute strength cannot help you. You must be quick of thought, calm of mind, and perceptive. Let us see if your mind can match the strength of your body."
Before Davin could respond, the serene garden began to darken. The trees twisted and gnarled, their branches reaching toward him like claws. The lanterns flickered, casting eerie shadows across the ground.
"What's happening?" Davin asked, his heartbeat quickening.
"This is your first trial," Vanya said, her voice calm and measured. "The Garden of Illusions. What you see here may not be real, but the danger is very much so."
Davin’s fists clenched at his sides. He had faced a monstrous beast with Korvan, but this was different. The fear creeping up his spine wasn’t from a physical threat—it was from the unknown.
"Stay focused," Vanya instructed. "Trust your instincts. Not everything is as it appears."
Davin nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself. As he did, the shadows around him began to shift, taking form. Dark figures emerged from the twisted trees, their eyes glowing red. They were tall, humanoid shapes, but their faces were blank—voids where features should have been.
"What are they?" Davin asked, taking a step back.
"They are your doubts," Vanya replied. "Your fears. You must face them."
The figures moved closer, their movements slow but deliberate. Davin’s heart pounded in his chest as he took another step back. His instinct was to fight, to strike out as he had with the beast. But this... this wasn’t the same. These weren’t enemies he could simply cut down with a sword.
"Use your mind," Vanya reminded him. "What do you see? What do you feel?"
Davin swallowed hard, his eyes darting between the approaching figures. He tried to focus, to think through the fear that was clawing at his mind. The figures were coming closer, their faceless forms looming over him. But as he looked closer, he realized something strange. They weren’t solid. Their bodies flickered, like smoke trying to take shape.
"They’re not real," Davin whispered, more to himself than to Vanya.
"Are they?" Vanya’s voice was soft, but there was a challenge in her tone. "What makes something real, Davin? Is it what you see? What you feel?"
Davin shook his head, trying to push the fear aside. He could feel the coldness of the figures, the way the air seemed to grow heavier with each step they took. But it wasn’t right. None of it was. 
"No," he said firmly. "They’re not real."
With those words, something shifted. The figures paused, their movements slowing. Davin narrowed his eyes, focusing on their forms. Slowly, they began to dissolve, their shapes melting into the shadows from which they had come.
"You see," Vanya said, her voice filled with approval. "Your mind is powerful. The world around you is shaped by your perception. Learn to control it, and you will find that many dangers are illusions."
Davin let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. "That... that was terrifying."
"Fear is natural," Vanya replied, stepping closer to him. "But it must never control you. Learn to face it, to understand it, and you will be stronger for it."
Davin nodded, still shaken by the experience. He had faced physical danger with Korvan, but this was something entirely different. His mind felt tested in ways he hadn’t expected.
"That was just the beginning," Vanya said, a gentle smile on her lips. "There is much more to learn, Davin. But you’ve taken your first step."
"Thank you," Davin said, his voice quiet. "I didn’t realize... how powerful the mind could be."
Vanya’s smile deepened. "In time, you will come to understand just how powerful you truly are. But for now, rest. More trials await, and you must be prepared for them."
As she spoke, the garden began to fade, the trees and lanterns dissolving into mist. The cool breeze vanished, replaced by the stillness of the god realm. 
Davin stood alone now, the weight of what had just happened settling over him. He had faced beasts, illusions, and his own doubts. But there was more—so much more.
The gods had called him here to train, to prepare him for a destiny he still didn’t fully understand. But for the first time, Davin felt something he hadn’t since he had arrived in this strange realm.
Hope.
He had survived. He had fought back. And as long as he kept going, he could face whatever was to come.