Chapter 5

The vortex spun Mason around, a dizzying dance of light and darkness. He felt a strange pressure on his chest, as if an invisible hand was squeezing his lungs. He gasped for air, his vision blurring.

When the spinning stopped, Mason found himself standing in a vast, empty room. The walls were made of a smooth, gray stone, and the air was thick with a strange, metallic scent. He looked around, his eyes wide with fear, trying to make sense of his surroundings.

He was alone. Ste-phen was gone.

“Hello?” he called out, his voice echoing through the empty chamber. “Ste-phen? Where are you?”

Silence. Only the faint hum of energy, a constant, unsettling background noise.

Mason walked towards the center of the room, his footsteps echoing in the silence. He felt a sense of unease, a feeling that he was being watched. He reached out and touched the smooth, cold stone wall, his hand trembling slightly.

Suddenly, a figure materialized in front of him, emerging from the shadows. It was a tall, imposing man with piercing blue eyes and a strong jawline. He wore a dark leather coat, and his hair was long and silver, streaked with grey.

“Mason,” the man said, his voice a deep baritone. “Welcome to our world.”

Mason stared at the man, his mind reeling. He didn’t know who this man was, but there was something about him, something in his eyes, that made Mason feel both safe and threatened.

“Who are you?” Mason asked, his voice barely a whisper.

The man smiled, a slow, predatory smile that sent chills down Mason’s spine. “My name is Seth,” he said. “I am a friend of Ste-phen.”

“Ste-phen… he’s okay?” Mason asked, his voice filled with relief.

Seth nodded. “He’s safe,” he said. “He’s waiting for you.”

“Waiting for me?” Mason asked, confused. “What do you mean?”

Seth’s smile widened, his eyes gleaming with a strange intensity. “You’ll understand soon enough,” he said. “You’ll understand everything.”

Mason felt a shiver run down his spine. He didn’t understand anything. He felt lost, alone, and afraid.

“What is this place?” he asked. “Where are we?”

Seth looked around the empty chamber, his gaze lingering on the smooth, gray walls. "This," he said, his voice a low rumble, "is a place of transition. A place where the veil between worlds is thin. A place where magic flows freely."

Mason's eyes widened. "Magic?" he whispered, his mind struggling to grasp the concept.

Seth chuckled, a deep, resonant sound that echoed in the vast chamber. "Yes, magic," he said. "The kind of magic that can bend reality, warp time, and even create new worlds."

Mason stared at Seth, his mind struggling to process the information. Magic. It was a word he had only ever heard in stories, tales of ancient wizards and mythical creatures. But here, in this strange, silent chamber, the word felt real, tangible.

"But how?" Mason asked, his voice trembling. "How is it possible?"

Seth smiled, a knowing look in his eyes. "You're asking the right question, Mason," he said. "The answer lies in the very fabric of reality, in the hidden forces that govern our existence. It's a secret that has been guarded for centuries, a secret that only a few chosen individuals are allowed to know."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Mason. "And you, Mason, are one of those chosen individuals."

Mason felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. He didn't understand. He was just a normal guy, a college student with a part-time job and a passion for video games. How could he possibly be chosen for something like this?

"I don't understand," Mason said, his voice barely a whisper. "What's happening? What's my purpose?"

Seth stepped closer, his gaze intense. "You're a bridge, Mason," he said. "A bridge between two worlds, a link between the ordinary and the extraordinary. You are the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe, the key to unlocking the power of magic."

Mason's mind raced. He felt overwhelmed, confused. He didn't want to be a key, a bridge, a chosen one. He just wanted to go home, to his own world, to his own life.

"But why me?" Mason asked, his voice laced with desperation. "Why choose me? I'm just... I'm just a normal guy."

Seth shook his head, a hint of sadness in his eyes

"You are not just a normal guy, Mason," Seth said gently. "You are someone who is capable of great things, someone who has the potential to change the world."

Mason looked at Seth, his face a mixture of confusion and fear. He didn't understand. He didn't want to change the world. He just wanted to live his life, to be ordinary.

"But I don't know anything about magic," Mason said, his voice trembling. "I don't know anything about this other world."

Seth smiled, a reassuring smile that calmed Mason's fears. "You don't need to know anything now, Mason," he said. "You will learn everything in time. This is just the beginning of your journey."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Mason. "But you must be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. The path to mastery is not easy, Mason. It is a path filled with danger, uncertainty, and sacrifice."

Mason swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that Seth was right. He knew that the journey ahead would be difficult. But he also knew that he couldn't turn back. He had been chosen, and he had to embrace his destiny.

"I'm ready," Mason said, his voice firm, despite the tremor in his hands. "I'm ready to learn, to face the challenges, to become… what you want me to be."

Seth nodded, his eyes filled with pride. "Then let us begin," he said. "Let us begin your journey to becoming a true mage."

He gestured towards a large, circular platform in the center of the chamber. "This," he said, "is the gateway to the other world. It is a place where the boundaries of reality blur, where the impossible becomes possible."

Mason stepped onto the platform, his heart pounding in his chest. He felt a strange sensation, a tingling in his skin, as if a thousand tiny needles were pricking him at once.

"Focus your mind, Mason," Seth said. "Visualize the other world. Imagine yourself stepping through the gateway, into a new realm of possibilities."

Mason closed his eyes, his mind racing. He tried to imagine a different world, a world filled with magic and wonder. He pictured lush forests, towering mountains, and shimmering waterfalls. He pictured creatures of myth and legend, creatures that existed only in stories.

But nothing happened, Seth tried everything and realized why his friend was heartbroken,Mason was a weak human who has no power. He had no choice but to take Mason back to Ste-phen's house and leave him there but not without telling Mason about the dangers of breaking their bond

Mason sees being left alone and run away from Ste-phen's house and goes to the hospital to visit his mum.