A loud gasp tore from Felix’s throat as he shot upright.

  Pain surged through his body and he collapsed back down with a strangled groan, vision swimming. His throat was hoarse as he panted, lungs burning.

  “What the actual-”

  His strained voice cut off as a translucent window flickered into existence above him.

  Would you like to absorb Core of Earth?

  Confirm: Yes / No.

  Felix stared at it, heart pounding.

  Error - consent has not been given. Core will not be absorbed.

  Error - foreign energy detected in user.

  Error - external pressure has forced integration.

  Error - Core destabilising.

  Error - attempting to abort integration.

  Error - abort attempt impossible. Cancellation will cause significant harm.

  A cold dread settled in his chest.

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  Congratulations. You have successfully absorbed: Core of Earth.

  Congratulations. You have successfully reached E-Rank.

  All attributes have been increased to Rank E.

  Felix stared at the list of messages, dumbfounded. He was vaguely aware he was receiving notifications during the ordeal but seeing them now caused a swell of conflicting emotions inside him. What had just happened? And how?

  As he lay in the clearing, he stared upward, the clear blue had shifted to a fiery array of reds and oranges as the sun set, turning the sky into deep sea of stars.

  “Two days…” he lamented as the pain slowly subsided. “All this in two… fucking…days…” his voice began to break, his roiling emotions settling on despair. He had been chased, crushed, gassed and now had his body invaded. “I'm going to die here. Aren't I?” he asked himself “I really do have the worst luck. Getting taken to another world filled with magic and adventure always sounded like a dream.” He rolled over as he curled into a ball, burying his face between his legs. “This is a nightmare.” Tears welled in his eyes as he was no longer able to push forward.

  This had been the final straw as the camel's back was well and truly broken. His body shook as he began to quietly weep. It seemed despite the feeling of loss and pain, a deep part of his mind refused to give in. He not only wanted to survive, he wanted to live. Most of all, he wanted to go home.

  As the stars slowly winked into view, the familiar yet alien night sky only reinforced his alienation in this new world. He thought about his family, and how they were taking his sudden disappearance. He'd promised to take his cousins to the only real theme park in the country, after he passed his driving test next week. How were his friends? He didn't have many but the ones he had were precious to him, to think they stuck together from a young age only for him to be pulled away from them. They were in the middle of planning a vacation. It would be each of their firsts and they were beyond excited.

  A small smile tugged at his lips, despite the hollow feeling in his chest. "I guess I got my holiday after all." His smile faded once again "Sorry you aren't here guys..."