Versatile: Alternate World

I rubbed my eyes and pinched myself multiple times to wake myself up from the dream but it seems those actions are futile as they are not showing any effects that I am gonna wake up from the dream. It's been a while since I was dragged into this dream but after so many times drifting back and forth into this place, I am quite sure this is no longer some sort of dream. When I awakened my mana in this current timeline, I also managed to reach this place by accident which means my fate is now bound to this place for whatever reason.

It's also a bit odd since every time I woke up I forget all of the information I got in this dream but once I return to this place, all of the information I obtained in my past dreams seems to load again into my brain, like it was stored somewhere else, making it a bit weird. And like I said before, after waking up once more, the loaded memory along with the new memories I obtained will also disappear.

The girl clad in white kimono and holding a box has yet to notice me. In fact, it seems her focus was on something else entirely. She is a resident of this place though I didn't see anyone else aside from her being the resident of this place.

I looked around and noticed that the place has changed significantly and it's not just a small change but it was a change that you could say to be similar to changing seasons. The surroundings have so many things that are not present the last time I was here. Of course, there will be bound for changes as it's been a long time since I was dragged in here. I was not summoned here for the past five years.

The changes are very big that the scenery has changed a lot. The ground is now littered with dead leaves from the plants like the fall season just passed. But the difference is that the leaves are so dry and dead that they are already black in color and one touch from the leaves and they crumble to dust. The lush trees from before are now no longer bearing a single leaf on their branches. Wind no longer regularly blows around the place, and rocks have crumbled. It was like the place is dying.

Even the Ygdrassil tree didn't escape the changes. Before, when I was here for the first time, it was the brightest thing existing in this world but now, that light that shines the darkness of this place is slowly fading. The sky itself is now cracking and it seems that something is going to tear apart the space itself.

"It seems you are marveled from the changes happening in this realm," the girl suddenly talked behind my back I immediately backed off and assumed a combat stance only to immediately drop it when I realized it was just the girl with the box.

She chuckled when she saw me getting surprised by her. "Why are you surprised? We have met each other for a long time and you are still wary and scared of me huh?"

As much as I want to admit that I don't have any fear of her, I would be totally lying about that statement if I blurt that out loud. She might not have done anything for me to raise my suspicion and alertness, but her presence alone made me feel like I am going to need every single moment of my time here to get ready for all the things here including her.

When I blinked, she returned to the place where she was sitting before. I didn't even see her walk over there, it was like she just appeared out of nowhere and then the moment I blink, she has already changed positions.

"The World Tree is getting weaker as time passes by. The world will soon face something that they needed to be prepared for. As to why I am telling this to you? Well, you know the answer to that question."

I frowned at her statement. There is something in me that says she is right but there is something else that is saying she is wrong but I don't know what that is and I am confused to my very being about what is happening.

The cracks in the sky get really big as time goes on, and multiple cracks have started to spread out. It was not that big when I noticed it but after observing it again, it is now growing. It is like the same cracks that appeared before when some rifts from another world opened up

As I was about to get close to the Ygdrassil Tree, I felt my consciousness fading. It always happens whenever I get very close to the tree. This should be my very close distance from the tree of my whole exploration in this place in my dream but it seems I still can't get real close.

"Your time here is almost over. However, one piece of advice for you, the Seeker that wanders in this realm. You are the reason everything here is happening. Soon enough, you will feel it as well. Enjoy the peace while it last, stranger."

She gave me a final smile that seems to indicate something but I couldn't process things as my eyes slowly close and my consciousness drifted away.

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BLAG!

A dull pain run through my back and the back of my head as I opened my eyes. I cursed under my breath as I slowly stood up while rubbing the dull pain still present.

"F*CK... that was one way to wake up..."

It wouldn't have hurt if I fell onto the floor just fine but my head seems to have bumped into my desk before I landed flat on the floor making the dull pain behind my head pain. Not only that but it seems I am forgetting something as well. I tried to remember it but for some reason, it was like it didn't exist in my memory I can't help feeling like there should be something I should have remembered but oddly enough, I can't even pinpoint what it was.

I can only shake my head and keep on rubbing my head due to the pain. And whatever I was forgetting, perhaps it was just my imagination.