The Unknown Path: A Call Beyond Reality

Chapter Twenty-Three – The Moment of Collapse... and Hope

Half an hour after Ibrahim's outburst,

Ibrahim and Unknown realized they were completely lost and had no idea where they were.

They noticed something strange: the water seemed to be leading them somewhere specific.

Ibrahim tried to change the direction they were going in, but he couldn't.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't alter the course they were being carried along.

Things got worse when Unknown began to feel the effects of illness: fever, intense cold, and other symptoms.

And it only worsened because they had no food to eat.

Hunger began to overwhelm them, and with it came lethargy and exhaustion.

Ibrahim tried to see if there was anything they could catch and eat,

but even though the water was crystal clear, there was no sign of marine life.

Despair and fatigue overwhelmed Ibrahim,

and despair, fatigue, and illness overcame Unknown.

There was nothing they could do.

They tried everything they could think of—without success.

Hours passed in this state.

Eventually, Unknown and Ibrahim decided to drink from the water, as thirst was beginning to dominate them.

Despite the strange taste of the water, it was unexpectedly delicious.

After drinking, nothing strange happened.

The feelings of hunger, illness, fatigue, and despair continued for Unknown,

and Ibrahim too began to show signs of sickness.

Seven days passed like this,

until Ibrahim began to feel that their end was near.

As he was about to close his eyes, Ibrahim caught sight of something—something that looked like a large island.

He assumed it was a mirage, so he continued to sleep.

But he woke up to the tired voice of Unknown:

– "Uncle… wake up, wake up!"

Ibrahim woke and was shocked by what he saw.

They were near a very large island.

They were close—but that was only from their perspective.

Both Ibrahim and Unknown waited in anticipation of reaching the island,

but their hopes were dashed when they awoke to find the island had disappeared.

Another day passed…

and both Unknown and Ibrahim had reached the brink of death.

They couldn't hold on much longer.

They both looked up to the sky.

Ibrahim turned to Unknown and said:

– "If we live… I want you to become strong.

Strong enough so we never fall into such strange events again.

That dream… those two people who appeared in our home…

and now this endless water…

How long will we stay like this? How long…?"

Ibrahim began to mutter strange words Unknown didn't understand.

But Unknown felt something else as well…

a desire that had been surfacing more and more lately: "Be stronger."

Unknown thought:

"If I were stronger… I wouldn't have ended up like this, right?

But what kind of strength could get me out of something like this?

Flying? Teleportation?

Speed so great I could cross any distance in seconds?

All of that is possible… but only if I can do it."

But right now…

A broken laugh echoed through the space.

– "I don't want this… but what can I do?"

Despair filled Unknown's heart.

He closed his eyes… accepting that he and his uncle might die today or tomorrow.

He didn't accept it because he was okay with it—

he hated it…

but there was nothing he could do.

Unknown slowly drifted off to sleep…

Then suddenly opened his eyes, stunned.

He heard the voice of a young man—full of confidence and ambition:

– "So… you've awakened."