Sora opened his eyes, greeted only by darkness. A warm, golden glow enveloped him, cradling him in its embrace. Confusion washed over him. Am I dreaming? he wondered, trying to blink, but it felt as though his body didn’t respond.

  He reached out, his hands meeting something hard and unyielding. Slowly, he pushed against it, feeling something thin and brittle give way. With a sudden punch and kick, a loud crack echoed around him. One final push sent him tumbling out, landing in a heap on the cold, stone floor.

  I've broken free—but from what? As he stumbled out, bright light assaulted his vision, and his heart pounded in his chest. He looked around, finding himself in what appeared to be a dimly lit cave. Shadows flickered along the walls, cast by the faint light ahead.

  Sora tried to stand, his legs shaky and unsteady. When he looked down, his breath caught in his throat. Claws replaced his feet, covered in soft, downy golden feathers. His hands were gone, replaced by three razor-sharp talons, and his arms were partially merged with wings. He stared in a mix of fascination and fear. Wings? Feathers? What is happening to me?

  His mind reeled as he stumbled back, his heart racing. Wasn’t I in the hospital? What is this place? Is this a dream? Questions flooded his mind as fast as his heavy breaths escaped his mouth. He tried to piece together how he had gotten here, but nothing made sense.

  The last thing he remembered was being in the hospital with his family. Now, he was alone in a cave, his body transformed into something unrecognizable. Wait, my family—what about my family? He tried to speak, but only a high-pitched chirp came out.

  Panic set in as he tried to piece together how he had gotten here, but nothing made sense. The last thing he remembered was being in the hospital with his family. Now, he was alone in a cave, his body completely transformed.

  Desperate for answers, Sora tried to recall what his parents had once told him about dreams. If you’re dreaming, pinch yourself to see if you feel pain. Try to think of something, like a plate of food—if it appears, then you’re dreaming.

  He pinched himself, wincing at the sharp pain. It felt real. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine a plate of food, but nothing appeared. His panic deepened, his breathing growing heavier as he struggled to calm himself.

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  Turning around, Sora noticed the source of the golden light—a large, cracked egg. He stared at it, his mind racing. Was I in that egg? He reached out, touching the smooth surface for a moment before pulling his taloned hand back.

  The realization hit him like a wave. I had hatched from that egg. But how? And why?

  A loud growl interrupted his thoughts. Hunger gnawed at his belly, an instinctual urge that drove him to explore his surroundings. He needed food. The cave was cool and damp, the air thick with the scent of earth and stone.

  Sora stumbled forward, his new body awkward and unfamiliar. Each step was a challenge, his talons clicking against the stone floor.

  The air was cool and damp, thick with the scent of earth and stone. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like ancient teeth, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed in the distance.

  Near the cave’s entrance, he found a small pool of water. Peering into it, he saw his reflection for the first time. A child’s face stared back at him, with fair skin, golden hair, and large, hawk-like eyes with golden irises.

  He blinked, trying to process what he was seeing. What am I?

  Memories of fantasy creatures from books and games with his siblings flashed through his mind.

  A harpy? he wondered. It would explain the wings, the talons, and the feathers. But how had he become one? His thoughts were interrupted by a dry, scratchy feeling in his throat. He dipped his head to drink from the pool, the water cool and refreshing. As he drank, a sense of purpose began to fill the void left by his confusion.

  He might not know why he was here or what had happened, but he was alive. And that meant he had to survive.

  Taking a deep breath, Sora stepped toward the cave’s entrance. The sunlight was blinding at first, but as his eyes adjusted, the sight took his breath away.

  He stood on a mountainside, with a dense forest stretching out below. The trees were lush and green, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. To his right, another peak loomed in the distance, majestic and imposing. He was in a mountain range, high above the world below.

  The realization hit him hard. He wasn’t just a newborn harpy—he was alone in an unfamiliar world. The vastness of the forest below was both intimidating and intriguing. A mix of fear and excitement surged through him, his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

  Driven by instinct, Sora spread his wings experimentally. Despite their size, they felt natural, as if moving them was as simple as flexing a finger. With a few awkward flaps, he managed to lift off the ground. The sensation was exhilarating, the wind rushing past him as he hovered unsteadily. Flying was going to take practice, but for now, I'm content to glide down to the forest floor.

  He landed clumsily, stumbling as his claws touched the soft earth. The forest smelled alive, a blend of pine, moss, and earth. Sora felt a connection to it, a sense of belonging that eased the loneliness gnawing at his heart.

  Exploring the forest, he noticed signs of other creatures—footprints in the soil, nests in the trees, and the distant rustle of unseen animals. He wasn’t alone here; this world was teeming with life.

  For the first time since his rebirth, Sora felt a spark of hope. Maybe he could find others like him, or at least survive long enough to understand his new existence.

  A growl from his stomach reminded him of his hunger. He needed food, but the thought of killing something made him shudder. Maybe I can find some berries, he thought, though he quickly remembered that some berries were poisonous.

  He sighed, frustrated. Why didn’t I pay more attention to those survival books?

  With determination and fear, Sora set off deeper into the forest, ready to face whatever challenges awaited. The unknown stretched out before him, but he was resolved to survive—and perhaps, one day, to find answers.