"To live is to die a better death."
Such was the philosophy of Viator Gnosi, a man who carried his creed like armor.
It was a calm morning in Geneva, Switzerland. The birds sang their usual chorus, and the air drifted through the streets at a gentle pace. Viator's house was modest, tucked away from the city's noise ; a fitting retreat for a researcher and part-time cryptologist.
Today seemed ordinary. Another request had arrived: a Greek plate, etched with inscriptions, waiting to be deciphered.
He muttered as he prepared for work:
"Seriously? Another Greek plate? People keep finding these things and assume they hide some grand secret. Most of the time, it's just history carved in clay. It's not like one of these plates will open a doorway to another world. And even if it did, that would be complete nonsense. You can't convince me another world exists without me experiencing it myself."
His frustration lingered. Despite working at CERN, his assignments felt trivial. They undermined his skills as a cryptologist, unaware that he had already uncovered their darkest secrets; files detailing unethical experiments on death row inmates, hidden behind layers of ciphers. The purpose of those experiments remained unclear, but the truth was undeniable.
"They think I don't know. But I do. And I'll keep digging."
The Plate
This plate was different. Its cipher was unlike any he had seen before; a structure that hinted at something beyond history, something otherworldly.
Hours passed as he worked. Finally, the first four sentences revealed themselves:
"Behold the knowledge of the new world, the knowledge of a realm that exists within your world, however, on a different frequency. One day, both worlds will merge, and calamity will fall on both. This is a message to you, who found this knowledge, to prepare and meet me in the other world. You who have deciphered this text are the hope to prepare for the calamities that are to fall upon both worlds."
Viator leaned back, unsettled.
"What is this? Some kind of ancient theology? I'll take it home and finish tomorrow. They keep throwing these plates at me like scraps. The only reason CERN keeps me around is because of my parents… and because I know too much."
The Forest Encounter
On his way home, Viator passed a forest. A sudden urge pulled at him.
"You know what… fuck it. My curiosity's too much."
He stepped inside. The forest was quiet, unnaturally so. Then he saw it: a marble shed, gleaming faintly in the dim light. Inside, an orb pulsed with energy.
The moment his hand touched the orb, the world flipped. He felt himself falling, then rising into another place entirely.
A voice echoed:
"So, you're the one who deciphered the text, huh?"
Viator spun around. A figure of black mist stood before him, humanoid in shape, with white orbs for eyes.
Viator: "WHO ARE YOU?"
???: "Now, now… that's no way to greet someone who wants to prevent calamities."
Viator: "Wait… that Greek plate was true?"
???: "I don't know what you mean by Greek, but I made that plate to gather someone from your world. Welcome to the Pnevma Realm. You may call me Kenos."
The Weapon
Kenos extended a glowing paper and a shimmering object.
"This contains all the knowledge inscribed on the plate. Use it, and meet me at the appointed location. Be wary ; this forest is home to powerful beings. Take this weapon; it will adapt to your strength."
The object pulsed with energy and fused into Viator's hands. It shifted, reshaping itself into a pair of cestus; armored gauntlets that felt natural, as though the weapon had read his instincts.
Kenos explained:
"This weapon is alive with the energy of the Pnevma Realm. It will change form depending on your combat instinct ; daggers for speed, a sword for balance, or a cestus for raw strength. It resonates with your mind, grows with your knowledge, and can project energy to shield or strike. It is both your defense and your bond to this realm."
Saying this, Kenos had disappeared, and Viator stared at the weapon, unsettled yet fascinated.
"What just happened… and what do I do with this glowing paper?"
The paper bore only one phrase: Consume AL-01.
He spoke the words aloud. Instantly, knowledge flooded his mind. A map formed within his thoughts, pointing northwest.
"So… that's where I must go."
The Howls
As he walked, a soothing symphony drifted through the forest. Entranced, he followed the sound. But it was no music; it was a lure. The melody belonged to the Howls, predators of the Pnevma Realm, monsters that feasted on all who entered their domain.
And Viator had just stepped into their hunting ground.
-To be continued…