The wind violently pushed the curtains, sending them into erratic motion as it rushed through the bedroom window. The howling wind whistled past the raven perched outside.
Leon stared in confusion, the papers clutched in his hand only deepening his bewilderment. *What are these for?* he wondered. *And why am I suddenly confronted with this bizarre sight?*
He tried to gather his thoughts, his gaze dropping to his right hand—clenched so tightly around the papers that the crumpled edges would never smooth out again.
*"You still look lost, young man. I know you were quite the prodigious general in your previous life."* The raven spoke again, its voice perfectly intelligible to Leon.
*This is absurd. Talking to a raven? I need to get back to my old world—now.* Leon's thoughts raced.
His eyes remained fixed on the bird, its silhouette eclipsing the beautiful full moon, now fading as dawn approached.
*"How can I understand you? Am I under some spell? No—that's impossible. Who even believes in magic in 2025?"* Leon muttered, his face tense.
The raven burst into raucous laughter, tilting so far backward it nearly toppled over—only its wings flaring out saved it from falling.
With a swift motion, it flew over Leon's head and landed gracefully on an ornate white chair, its beak parting. *"You should know… this isn't 2025. Nor is it 1800, or even the first century you're so fixated on."*
Leon froze. The papers slipped from his grip, drifting aimlessly before fluttering to the ground. His eyes locked onto the raven, but he forced himself to suppress his shock.
*"You're in a different world, boy. And the answers lie in your own hands."* Seconds before it took flight, a powerful gust of wind erupted, scattering the papers across the desk. Then, the raven was gone.
Leon's mouth hung slightly open—not from surprise, but from speechlessness. The raven had vanished into the distance, its caw fading into the ordinary cries of a common bird.
A jolt ran through Leon the moment the mysterious black bird disappeared. He spun around with all his strength and lunged toward the window, thrusting his head outside to scan the surroundings.
No sign of the raven.
But soon, the majestic cry of an eagle echoed from the skies far above. Instinctively, Leon looked up. Between the clouds and the moon's fading glow, the raven soared, cutting through the night.
*"Damn it."* He cursed under his breath before pulling himself back inside. Quickly, he shut the window and straightened the disheveled curtains before returning to the desk.
*"A revolver?"* He frowned. *"How does something like this exist in a world I don't recognize? And yet… it looks exactly like the ones I've seen before."* He exhaled slowly.
The room was silent. The night sky offered no sound this time…
As the stillness lingered, broken only by the ticking of the wall clock, Leon's gaze drifted toward it.
Then—
The sound grew louder and louder, like relentless thunder, as a faint light began to glow behind him. He hesitated before turning, but something else seized his attention.
A hauntingly harmonious melody followed the deafening blast, shattering the tense atmosphere. Slowly, Leon shifted his gaze.
The creak of polished wood echoed as he took a step—then another—until he faced the source. The window had been breached by the wind, and now, an eerie light spilled in from below.
The melody, hypnotic and inescapable, pulled him forward… step by step. His heart pounded.
Argh!" Wein groaned, his body collapsing,
but he reflexively caught himself, supporting his whole body with his hands.
Kneeling down, he tried to get up but groaned again. He pounded the floor loudly, his grumbling echoing.
"Damn, I'm too rash."
Lifting his hand, Wein immediately held his head.
"Greg!" A loud voice emerged from the fog. A horse approached, with several hidden figures.
The fog enveloped the forest area.
"Are you afraid?" General Leon grinned.
"Obviously not. They're already dead." Lieutenant Greg denied, stepping back after staring at General Leon.
"Are you sure? Aren't they going to become spirits?" The General added, making the atmosphere more eerie.
Lieutenant Greg opened his mouth. "Fog... we can't go back if the fog still lingers."
General Leon noticed the tension on Greg's pale lips, barely hidden beneath his brown hood.
Although calm on the surface, Leon felt a similar unease, but his experience made him appear composed.
The fog hadn't subsided since the night before, and it was getting thicker.
"What if we find a magician in this fog?" Greg trembled, his eyes red.
"Are you okay?" Leon's unease grew. He scanned the surroundings, realizing something was wrong.
"Of course... Why are your eyes blackened, General?" Greg's face looked confused.
Leon ignored him, turning his body repeatedly to observe the area.
Panic crept into his experienced face — they were in enemy territory.
Greg reached out. "General, are you okay?"
"Magic!" Leon murmured, his eyes darting.
"Damn... I'm dizzy." Greg leaned against a tree before losing consciousness.
"No, Lieutenant." Leon's voice weakened. He propped Greg against the tree, gritting his teeth.
"This will be difficult."
If they couldn't escape, they would die — whether from cold or the enemy's executioners.
***
"Brother! Are you okay?" A soft voice pierced through the door.
Wein jolted awake. His mouth trembled, unable to form words.
He smiled, feeling happy that his sister remembered him — but Leon denied it. I don't have a sister.
"Brother?" Ellena called again, worried.
"A–" Wein coughed. "I'm fine." His voice was hoarse.
"This door is locked. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes," I replied, holding back another cough. "I just choked."
"Oh... okay. Call me if you need help."
Ellena's footsteps faded.
"Damn, my head hurts." Wein swore, staggering toward the bed like a drunk man.
His head was spinning.
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Thank you, can you criticize my work? I also made a new book titled Chronicles of the True Reader, Oh yes if you feel this book is similar to The World is Falling because this book has the same author but with a different account, please support me in order to win WSA? Even though it's impossible [laughing]
But thank you for reading the work made by this beginner