Where am I...?"
It felt like I was sinking deeper and deeper into a dark ocean. No light, no sound — only endless darkness embracing me. Strangely, it wasn't terrifying. In fact, it was... peaceful.
"Maybe it's better this way," I thought lazily. "At least I can finally rest…"
But then — a blinding flash of light pierced through the darkness. I instinctively raised my hand to shield my eyes.
"Where is this light coming from...?"
The world around me started to ripple — and the darkness shattered like glass.
Ashra gasped, waking up violently from his dream, his chest burning in pain.
"Where... where am I? My chest... it hurts..." He struggled to lift himself up from the bed he was lying on.
Just then, a soft voice echoed from nearby.
"So, you're finally awake."
A girl stepped into the room.
"My name's Saira. Nice to meet you," she said with a faint smile.
Ashra stared at her in confusion, blinking rapidly.
"Huh...? Wait, what? Who are you? What are you doing in my house?!"
Saira rolled her eyes.
"Excuse me, but if it bothers you so much, maybe next time don't faint in your own bathroom. I had to clean you up after saving your sorry life, you know."
He shook his head, feeling a throbbing headache.
"I... I don't get it. How did you even get here?"
Saira sighed dramatically, turning around and covering her eyes with one hand.
"Why don't you put on your shirt first? Then we'll talk," she said.
Ashra glanced down — his shirt was lying on the floor. Flushing with embarrassment, he quickly pulled it over his head.
"Did you... tie this bandage on me too?" he asked, pointing at the cloth wrapped around his torso.
"Obviously," Saira said with a smirk. "Any doubts?"
Ashra sat back down, groaning slightly from the pain.
"I honestly thought I was dead... there was so much blood. I don't know how I'm still breathing, but... thanks, I guess."
"You're welcome. Now stop whining," she said, finally sitting on the large sofa across from him after slipping into proper clothes.
Ashra studied her for a moment — this girl was no ordinary person. Something about her presence felt... different.
"So," he began cautiously, "mind telling me how exactly you saved me? I mean, I was dying, wasn't I?"
"You don't need to know all the details," Saira replied sharply.
"What do you mean by that?" Ashra frowned.
"Just accept the fact that you're alive because of me. That's enough."
Ashra clenched his fists.
"No, it's not enough. Why would you go so far for me? Who even are you? What do you want from me?"
"If you're going to throw a thousand questions at me," she said, crossing her legs calmly, "then you better have the patience to hear a thousand answers."
Ashra waited silently.
After a brief pause, Saira spoke:
"There are many people in this world who aren't normal humans. Some are good... and some are evil. We possess abilities far beyond ordinary comprehension."
"You're saying... you're not human?"
"Not exactly. We're called 'Cosmics'."
"Cosmic...?" Ashra echoed, struggling to process her words.
"Yes. Cosmics can do things even normal humans can't only dream of. But it's not easy becoming one. There are trials. Dangerous ones."
Saira leaned forward, her voice dropping slightly.
"There are three main Paths for anyone who wishes to awaken as a Cosmic."
Ashra felt a chill run down his spine.
"The first," she said, "is the Heaven's Path."
"If you choose it, you must seek the blessing of celestial beings — angels, if you will. But it's not as easy as praying. Only those with truly pure hearts can be recognized... and even then, the success rate is only fifty percent. If you fail, you die."
Ashra swallowed nervously.
"The second is the Hell's Path," she continued. "Here, you must descend into the very depths of the Underworld. Devils rule there, and they won't hand over their power easily. You'd have to prove your worth to earn a contract. Few ever return."
Ashra's hands trembled slightly.
"And... the third?"
Saira's expression darkened.
"The Deva Path. I don't know much about it. Just rumors. It's said that once someone chooses Deva Path, they are forgotten by everyone who ever loved them. If you fail to escape... you are lost forever, erased even from memories."
Ashra pressed his palms against his forehead.
"This is... insane. Are you telling me that to become a Cosmic, one must face death? Why would anyone even attempt such a thing?"
Saira's voice turned serious.
"Because when the road is full of death, only the ones who dare to step forward become truly powerful."
She paused, staring straight into Ashra's eyes.
"There were many before you. Some made it. Most didn't."
Ashra exhaled sharply. The information was overwhelming.
Before he could ask more, his stomach growled loudly.
"Uh... sorry," he muttered, embarrassed. "I haven't eaten anything since yesterday. Is there any food left?"
Saira smirked slightly.
"I don't know where you keep your food."
"I'll find something."
Ashra got up with effort and walked over to a cupboard near the small kitchen area.
After rummaging around, he found a loaf of bread — a bit stale, but still edible.
"Do you want some?" he asked, holding it out to her.
"I'm not hungry," she said quickly. But just then, her stomach betrayed her — growling loudly.
Ashra raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly.
"Let's split it. Half for each."
He tore the bread and gave her a piece.
Saira took it wordlessly, nibbling at it with a strange look in her eyes — as if she wasn't used to such simple kindness.
Ashra finished his portion quickly and wiped his hands.
"I'll go to the market and buy some real food," he said, reaching for his jacket.
Saira nodded silently, still chewing thoughtfully.
As he headed toward the door, Ashra felt a new determination awaken within him.
This strange encounter, these paths, the world of Cosmics —
It wasn't just a dream anymore.
It was his reality now.