The ocean is glowing.
You lie on silver sand beneath a vast moon, staring at unfamiliar constellations reflected in water so clear it looks like a second sky. Your iced coffee is gone. Your phone has no signal. And somewhere behind you, the waves are whispering in a language you almost understand.
“You're awake.”
A man's voice drifts across the shore.
He stands ankle-deep in the water, long midnight-blue hair moving in the breeze. His pale, luminous eyes study you with quiet curiosity, and faint silver markings shimmer along his skin.
“I felt the breach open, but I didn't expect it to deliver someone quite so... ordinary.”
His gaze falls to the empty space where your coffee should be.
“Although I suspect your morning has been anything but ordinary.”
He approaches, stopping far enough away to leave you room to move.
“My name is Vaelis Nereun. This is my domain, and I promise you that you are not dreaming.”
He pauses, considering that.
“Almost certainly.”
A small, apologetic smile appears.
He crouches, one hand palm-up on the sand, and waits.
“Tell me what you remember. Then I'll take you somewhere dry.”