Disclaimer:

  This fanfiction is a work of fiction inspired by the Magic: The Gathering universe, created by Wizards of the Coast. All characters, settings, and lore associated with Magic: The Gathering are the property of Wizards of the Coast and its affiliates. This story is not intended for commercial use and is purely a fan-created piece meant for entertainment purposes only. I do not claim any ownership of the original material and acknowledges the rights of the original creators. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Enjoy the journey through the multiverse!

  Miguel Reyes wasn’t one to linger on coincidences. If something happened, it happened, and life moved on. At least, that’s what he thought until the day he found himself standing before a shop that wasn’t supposed to exist. Tucked between two crumbling buildings in a shadowy alley of Quezon City, the wooden sign above read “Encantada’s Curiosities.”

  Curiosity tugged at Miguel like an invisible thread. His latest fantasy book series had ended, leaving a void he needed to fill. He pushed the door open, the faint scent of aged paper and incense wrapping around him like a warm shawl. The shop was dimly lit, packed with shelves overflowing with oddities: jars of powders, trinkets, and books that looked older than time itself.

  Behind the counter stood an old woman with an aura of quiet authority. She didn’t greet him with words, only a knowing smile. Without asking, she reached beneath the counter and produced a single leather-bound book. The cover shimmered faintly, as if the golden runes etched onto it were alive. “The Wayfarer’s Codex,” the title read.

  Miguel hesitated but felt an undeniable pull. He paid the woman, clutching the book to his chest as he left. When he turned back at the edge of the alley, the shop was gone.

  Miguel Reyes wasn’t your typical young man. He loved stories—the more fantastical, the better. From high fantasy epics to sci-fi adventures, as long as magic was involved, Miguel was hooked. Even though he knew magic wasn’t real, he found ways to immerse himself in the closest things to it. He devoured books on superstitions, ghost stories, and monster lore, learning all the strange rituals and precautions one should take in case of an encounter. It was a weird hobby, sure, but for Miguel, it was a connection to something wondrous in an otherwise ordinary world.

  Despite his eccentric interests, Miguel tried his best to be a dutiful son. He was polite, humorous, and kind, but he could also be stubborn, stoic, and serious when the situation called for it. Some might have labeled him as having two extremes, but it was simply the nature of an introvert. He cherished peace and quiet, where he could hear himself think, but when the mood struck, he could chatter away to friends and relatives about his favorite topics. Miguel had a knack for making even the uninitiated curious enough to listen, his enthusiasm infectious.

  Thanks to his love of reading, Miguel had accumulated a seemingly endless supply of random knowledge. While his intellect was high, his knowledge base was scattered, covering everything from medieval warfare to obscure folklore. In his free time, when he wasn’t reading, Miguel enjoyed video games—particularly RPGs and RTS games, as long as they were steeped in fantasy themes. These games offered another avenue to explore the magical worlds he longed to experience.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  At home, Miguel couldn’t resist diving into the book. The Wayfarer’s Codex was unlike anything he’d read before. Each chapter described fantastical dimensions—planes teeming with magic, creatures, and dangers. It spoke of drawing mana from the very fabric of reality, learning unique spells tied to the essence of each world, and of a power within some that allowed them to travel between dimensions. A spark, the book called it, waiting to be ignited.

  As the days turned into weeks, Miguel devoured the book. It was no mere story. The Codex felt personal, as though it was speaking directly to him. It challenged him with puzzles and riddles, teaching him patience and creativity. By the time he reached the final chapter, Miguel realized something strange: the protagonist’s journey mirrored his own thoughts and feelings.

  Then came the last page. The name of the protagonist was revealed.

  “Miguel Reyes.”

  The words burned into his mind, and the book glowed in his hands. Light enveloped him, and he felt as though he were being torn apart and rebuilt in the same moment. When the blinding glow faded, Miguel found himself standing in a different world.

  The air was rich and alive with energy. Miguel stood at the edge of a vast forest, the trees towering impossibly high. Their leaves shimmered with colors that shifted in the breeze, and the ground beneath his feet pulsed faintly, as if the earth itself were breathing.

  “Welcome to Velarith,” a voice echoed from nowhere and everywhere at once.

  In the distance, Miguel saw it: an enormous crystalline tree whose roots sprawled across the land. The Living Nexus, the source of the plane’s magic. Drawn to it, he began to walk.

  Velarith was a land of wonder and danger. Miguel learned this quickly. The Mana Fields surrounding the Nexus were a chaotic tapestry of magic—flowers that erupted into flames, rivers that flowed with molten silver, and storms of crackling energy. The magic of the plane was beautiful but unpredictable. His first attempt to draw mana from the air left him with a spell that spiraled out of control, nearly setting his clothes alight.

  It was in the Verdant Enclave, a village nestled among the trees, that Miguel found guidance. The villagers were druids and mages, wary of outsiders but reverent of the Nexus. Among them was Thalanor, a half-elf sage who took Miguel under his wing. Thalanor taught him the basics of spellcasting, explaining how to channel mana into usable forms.

  Miguel discovered his affinity for green and blue mana. Green mana allowed him to manipulate nature, summoning vines to bind foes or enhance his strength. Blue mana was subtler, granting him the ability to craft illusions and manipulate water.

  But learning wasn’t easy. “Magic isn’t about control,” Thalanor said. “It’s about harmony. Listen to the plane, and it will guide you.”

  Miguel’s greatest challenge came when Thalanor sent him to the Duskspire Ruins. The ancient site, once home to Velarith’s most powerful mages, was now overrun by crystalline constructs called Shardkin. These creatures guarded an artifact—a mana prism that could help Miguel focus his abilities.

  The ruins tested Miguel’s wits and courage. He navigated traps, evaded Shardkin patrols, and faced a powerful construct in a climactic battle. Using his green mana, he summoned vines to entangle the Shardkin, then shattered it with a blast of water imbued with blue mana.

  As Miguel grew stronger, the plane itself seemed to respond. The Nexus glowed brighter, its roots thrumming with energy. But danger loomed. The Crimson Gale arrived, a cataclysmic storm of raw magic that threatened to destroy the Nexus and the Enclave.

  Miguel stepped forward, drawing on everything he had learned. With Thalanor and the villagers by his side, he channeled the power of Velarith’s ley lines. It was a desperate struggle, but in the end, Miguel’s determination and newfound abilities turned the storm’s energy against itself.

  In the aftermath, the Nexus bestowed upon Miguel a fragment of its crystal, a token of Velarith’s gratitude and a reminder of his growth. “You are ready to journey onward,” the Nexus’s voice echoed.

  As the crystal pulsed in his hand, Miguel felt the spark within him flare. The world around him dissolved, and he was hurled back into the Blind Eternities, ready to face the next plane.