CHAPTER 1 -- THE CALL

Prologue

Tunde woke with a start, his heart pounding in his chest. The dream had felt so real, like a warning from some unseen force. He had been in a dark, endless void, and from the darkness came a voice, calling out to him, a voice that was both distant and familiar. He couldn't make out the words, but he knew that it was important and that he needed to listen. The sense of urgency and danger was unmistakable. It was a call for help, and somehow, Tunde knew that he had to answer it. He lay in bed for a moment, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream and clear his head.

As he got up and prepared for the day, Tunde couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered. He was a master’s student working on his thesis, and he had always been diligent. Back in Nigeria, before he had come down to Malaysia to further his studies, he had been one of the best in his set, gaining credits so fast he had graduated ahead of all his mates. Today, however, he found himself struggling to focus on his studies. His mind kept drifting back to the dream and the voice that had called out to him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

He made his way to the kitchen to make breakfast, and as he ate, he flipped on the TV to catch the morning news. The news was filled with reports of violence and unrest around the world. Tunde couldn't help but feel a sense of hopelessness as he watched the footage of war-torn cities and fleeing refugees. He knew that something was happening, something big, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was somehow connected to it.

Tunde was a tall young man, with a lean build, dark skin, and short-cropped hair. He had sharp features, a strong jawline, and a steady gaze. He wore a necklace, a simple cord with a small pearl-like pendant in the shape of a tear. It was a gift from his father, and something he always wore. It was a small comfort on this day that felt so uncertain.
Tunde was enrolled in the University of Malaysia, located in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city. To get there, he had to walk through bustling streets packed with people going about their businesses and daily activities. The university was one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country, and Tunde felt honored to be a student there. As he walked, he couldn't help but feel a sense of determination and purpose. He knew that the path ahead would not be easy, but he was determined to do what was right and make a positive impact on the world. Still, however, the feeling of unease remained.

As Tunde entered the university grounds, he was struck anew by the beauty of the campus. The buildings were a mix of traditional and modern architecture, and the lush green gardens provided a serene environment for students to study and relax. The university was located in the heart of the city, and Tunde could see the towering skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur in the distance.

But as he walked across the campus, Tunde couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching him, following him. He quickened his pace, and as he turned a corner, he nearly collided with an old man. The old man steadied Tunde with a firm grip on his arm. He looked into Tunde's eyes, and Tunde felt a sudden sense of recognition.

"You're the one," the old man said. "I've been looking for you."

Tunde felt a sense of confusion and fear. He didn't know this man, and he didn't understand why he felt like he should trust him.

"Who are you?" Tunde asked.

"You can hear her, can't you?" the old man said. "The voice of Gaia, calling out to you."

Tunde was taken aback, but he couldn't deny the truth in the old man's words. He nodded slowly, and the man smiled. He was dressed in billowing white robes and there was an air of serenity around him.

"I have been sent to guide you, Tunde. The fate of the world rests on your shoulders, and we must hurry. Come with me, and I will show you the way.”

Tunde hesitated. He didn't know what this man wanted from him or why he felt like he should trust him. But as he looked into his eyes, he felt a sense of rightness, a sense of familiarity. It was as if he had known this man his entire life.

"I'll show you the way," the man repeated.

Still, Tunde hesitated. He didn't know what the old man meant by that, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was supposed to follow him. He felt a sense of rightness that he couldn't explain, but he still had his doubts. He didn't know this man, and he didn't know where he was supposed to go.

The man must have sensed his hesitation because he reached out and took Tunde's hand. He opened it and placed a small bracelet in his palm.

"I am Datuk Jalal,” he said. “This is a Tear of Gaia. I have been sent to guide you, Tunde. The fate of the world rests on your shoulders, and we must hurry. Come with me, and I will show you the way."

Tunde looked down at the bracelet, and then back at the old man. He felt a sense of recognition as if he had known this man and this journey for a long time. He looked down at the tear-shaped pendant hanging from his necklace, and then back at the bracelet in his hand. They were exactly the same. And from them, he could feel… something. It was intangible, but it was there. He knew then that this was what he was meant to do. He felt a sense of inevitability. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he knew that he had to trust this stranger.

He looked up at Datuk Jalal and nodded.

"All right," Tunde said. "Show me the way."

“Come with me.”

A sense of destiny and purpose washed over Tunde. He knew that this was what he had been called to do, and he knew that he could trust this man. He nodded again, and together, they set off.

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The Adventure Begins!
Watch out for Chapter Two: The El'Draevas

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