When I became aware of myself, I had just woken up in a large, dark room. I was sitting on a completely destroyed chair, and around me I could see several chairs and tables in a rotten state arranged in a semicircle, with a kind of platform in front of them. The structure seemed familiar, but I couldn’t remember what it meant. On top of that, a strong smell of mold and a thin mist dulled my senses, making it difficult to focus.

  After taking a few seconds to concentrate, I stood up and headed toward the door. Beyond it, the sight was entirely different: a long corridor completely overtaken by some kind of native vegetation, its windows overlooking a large abandoned courtyard. Given the amount of plant growth and the condition of the walls and ceilings, it was clear that the structure had been abandoned for many years — which only left me more confused about how I had ended up there.

  After exploring the building for a few hours without finding a single living person, I decided to head toward the courtyard. From the outside, I could better appreciate the architectural beauty of the building — it was breathtaking. Even in ruins, the entire structure carried a pompous sense of grandeur, while at the same time evoking fear because of its sheer size.

  Through the density of the mist, it was only possible to make out that this seemed to be the central building of an entire flat complex of structures, and the courtyard where I stood appeared to extend among them as a shared central space. At that moment, a strong feeling of nostalgia filled me, and in a brief flash I saw the entire area alive with uniformed people walking about, the buildings intact and beautiful. Unfortunately, the sensation passed so quickly that I couldn’t extract much from it.

  I decided to walk across that immense courtyard toward its far end, but halfway through I began to hear sounds within the mist. Acting on instinct, I grabbed a piece of wood from the ground and focused on the footsteps that began circling me, drawing closer and closer. The mist subtly shifted, as if something were moving through it — shaping it.

  In an instant, some creature leapt toward me as if it were the mist itself. After missing its bite, it disappeared back into the fog. And so it continued — several rapid leaps from one side to the other, leaving me wounded before I could even react. Desperate, I began to run, and the beasts gave chase.

  With every passing minute, the mist grew denser until I couldn’t see even a hand’s length in front of me. Suddenly, a metallic hand struck my face, and I fell to the ground with great force.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  — A human? Seems I misjudged the punch.

  Still dizzy, I stood up and realized that the being who had knocked me down was not an animal — much less a human — but a metallic humanoid figure. Though slender in build, it must have stood around two meters tall.

  — What are you? — I asked, still dazed from the blow.

  — If I knew, I wouldn’t be here, human. But I believe you have more urgent concerns at the moment.

  — Oh, don’t tell me. Can you help me?

  After looking me up and down with a completely neutral expression, the being replied:

  — Given your deplorable state, the least I can do is offer some assistance.

  As soon as it said that, the metallic creature’s eyes shifted to red, and its previously neutral stance changed into something combative — like a fighter before battle. All I could do was watch as a mist creature leapt forward and was knocked down by a single precise punch. The metallic being pivoted instantly, sprinted to the opposite side, and struck down the second and then the third creature.

  In a matter of seconds, the battle was over. One lay dead; the other two had fled.

  — What’s your name, big guy? If you have one.

  — Even though I am not a living being, I do possess a name. You may call me Finder. You, on the other hand, shouldn’t have one, surviving three nebulas hardly qualifies as living.

  — I really was struggling. Thanks for helping me. By the way, my name is John. — Looking down, I saw the body of the creature, which now had the color and shape of a leopard, unlike when it had been alive.

  — So that’s what those are called? Nebulas?

  — Yes. Stealthy and hostile beasts, like all creatures of the night. Adapted to live in environments of heavy mist like this one. You have no idea what’s happening, do you?

  — You noticed, huh? I simply woke up here. I don’t even know who I am.

  — Then we are on the same journey, human. We both seek to understand who we are in this world.

  — For someone so intelligent, you’re in the same situation as me, huh?

  — Knowledge about the beasts of this world is not enough to discover who we are. — Finder said, already walking toward the central building.

  Realizing Finder was quickly distancing himself, I ran after him. At that moment, he was my only hope of surviving longer. But he stopped abruptly, clearly uninterested in company.

  — What do you want now, human? More help?

  — I wouldn’t refuse it. I see you’re heading to the central building. I spent a few hours exploring it. I might be able to tell you something to speed up whatever you’re planning. Consider it repayment.

  — I’m looking for my creator. Did you see this symbol anywhere inside?

  Finder showed me a piece of paper bearing what looked like two tools crossed in an X, encircled by a screw.

  — I didn’t see anything like that. If you’re looking for someone alive, there’s no one there. Just ruins and plants.

  With the same neutral expression, Finder turned his back on the building and began heading toward the exit.

  — Where are we going now?

  — I’m moving on.