1 As if in a dream

Standing atop the sand dune, Lucas gazed at the vast expanse of yellow sand under the blue sky in the Arabian Desert, unable to resist raising his arms and shouting in exhilaration.

At the age of twenty-two, he appeared lean and rugged. His physique was the result of rigorous training from his martial arts instructor uncle since childhood. During university, he often stood out for his exceptional skills, coupled with the magnetic charm of his easygoing personality. He had his fair share of companions, although his carefree nature and sharp tongue led to fleeting connections. Now, he found himself alone.

After graduating from university, the job search proved to be a frustrating experience for him. His versatile major, combined with his laid-back personality, made it challenging to find a satisfying position. Tired of city life and with no urgent responsibilities at home, he decided to pack his bags and embark on a journey.

This journey took him far, all the way to the desolate expanse of the Arabian Desert, where the vast dunes and clear skies awaited. Roasted lamb skewers, dates, camel milk, and the winds carrying the aroma of spices—all served to make him forget any troubles. Unconcerned about safety issues, his skills easily handled any challenges from a few strong men.

Leaving a small settlement, he headed towards another destination. However, on this small sand dune, he suddenly halted his steps.

Looking at the magnificent scenery, after shouting to the sky, Lucas revealed a pensive expression. It was as if he had grasped fragments buried deep in his memory, obscured by millennia of historical dust.

"This place, you've been here! You've been here!" A figure, as if soaring through the sky, seemed to dance in the distant heat haze, etched in his memory. Closing his eyes, an overwhelming and poignant emotion rushed over him. The sudden surge of feelings left Lucas standing on the sand dune, immersed in a flood of sounds, from exhilarating to melancholic, echoing in his mind until they blended into one.

Where did this emotion come from?

He sat down on the sand dune, quietly listening to the voices in his mind for a long time. Eventually, the mysterious emotions vanished as abruptly as they had come. Lucas cursed under his breath, "Damn, what a sudden mood swing! I need to check if it's been too long since I last saw people, and I'm getting depressed! Well, no choice, let's find a place with people to relax..."

His feet shifted, attempting to stand up, but the sand beneath swiftly slid down the dune. Suddenly, there was a glint within the sand that caught his attention. Intrigued, he hastily brushed away the grains to see what lay beneath.

He picked up a circular object, neither gold nor jade, seemingly buried in the sand for ages, waiting for him to unearth it today. In the center of the circle was a crescent moon pattern. Brushing off the sand, he noticed faintly inscribed acient characters under the sun. He muttered, "What the heck is this?" He casually tucked the circular piece into the pocket of his riding pants, dismissing any inexplicable thoughts. Standing up, he prepared to continue his journey. The day was quickly fading, and if he didn't hurry, he wouldn't make it to the small town ahead!

As he tried to stand up, he was dumbfounded by the sight before him.

The sky was still as blue, and the sun radiated its heat. Everything seemed normal, displaying the majestic scenery of the Arabian Desert. However, on the horizon, a colossal wall of sand, like a tsunami, suddenly rose! Fierce yellow sand, reaching from the ground to the sky, swept towards him. Strangely, this grand spectacle occurred in eerie silence, as if a nightmare unfolding without a sound!

Lucas turned and ran.

However, before he could descend the sand dune, the massive sandstorm had already engulfed him, rendering him unconscious without a chance to struggle.

In the midst of the colossal sandstorm, a faint white figure seemed to rise. Even the flowing hair appeared vivid. In the embrace of this white figure was Lucas's body. A gentle voice echoed in the heavens and the earth, carrying emotions Lucas could no longer perceive.

"...You've come, you've finally come..."

A swooshing sound filled the air, followed by a crisp scream. After that, a figure hurtled towards Lucas.

This was the first thing Lucas encountered after regaining his senses.