Chapter 12: Acceptance

"In the past, I wouldn't have believed you about any of this, but now? Too many things have happened to dismiss it. Anyway, you said that we are in a different world and universe. How would that be possible? I'm already having a bad time thinking of how I became like this, and now you tell me something that is even more impossible." Elan's voice was tinged with frustration and disbelief.

Arion's tone turned serious. "I get it. I really do. But let me tell you something. Even when we were on Earth, there were many things that couldn't be explained scientifically. Your situation might just be another one of those unexplainable phenomena. Maybe a higher power is involved in this, but hey, I'm just speculating."

"I know it sounds far-fetched, but I can guarantee you one thing: we are not on Earth anymore. The animals, the environment, everything is different. It might seem similar in some ways, but this is a different world altogether."

Elan fell silent, absorbing Arion's words. He began to ponder the possibility that he had indeed transmigrated to another world. The idea seemed absurd, yet Arion had no reason to lie. What would he gain from deception?

'If Arion is telling the truth, then transmigration might actually be real. Could a higher power really be responsible for this? There are countless things in the universe that science hasn't explained. Why should this be any different?' Elan thought.

Elan sighed and nodded, realizing there was no point in dwelling on it further. He was already here, so he might as well accept the truth rather than give himself a headache thinking too much about it. As a scientist in his previous life, he couldn't help but smile at the idea of another life form existing on a different planet and in a different universe—and even better, there were humans.

Reflecting on this, Elan thought aloud, "I used to ponder the question, 'Are we alone in the universe?' And even now, being in a different universe, I still can't answer that question for Earth. If I reincarnated or transmigrated within the same universe as Earth, maybe that question would finally be answered. The absurdity of all this is almost laughable."

Arion, hearing Elan, chuckled. "It's quite the cosmic joke, isn't it?"

Elan laughed. "Yeah, it really is. Here I am, living proof of life on another planet in another universe, and yet I still can't answer one of humanity's greatest questions for my original world."

Elan took a deep breath and said, "Alright, I believe you. It's not easy to accept, but it makes sense in a strange way."

Arion seemed puzzled by Elan's calm reaction. "You're taking this pretty well. I expected more confusion or even panic from you after hearing you're on another planet and in a different universe."

Elan chuckled softly. "If I just arrived here in this world, then I'd probably be confused and rattled beyond belief. But I've been here for 13 years now. I've had time to adjust and accept my new reality."

"I see. I guess that makes sense. You've had time to acclimate," Arion said.

"Exactly. When I first got here, it was overwhelming and confusing. But over the years, I've come to accept it and adapt. Now, learning that it's a different planet and universe is just another piece of the puzzle. I'm more curious than anything else," Elan said calmly.

"Anyway, you mentioned earlier that you have abilities. What are your abilities, and how can they help us in our current situation?" Elan inquired.

"My abilities allow me to identify everything and its usage. But before I can know about an object, I need to scan it first," Arion said proudly.

Upon hearing about Arion's abilities, Elan felt a slight twinge of disappointment. He couldn't see how this would help their current situation, especially since he couldn't see his surroundings.

Elan sighed. "I was hoping for something a bit more... immediate in its usefulness. Given our current predicament, being able to identify objects and their uses doesn't seem very helpful right now, especially since I can't see anything around me."

Arion quickly interjected, "Hold on, Elan. Let me explain my abilities before you get too disappointed. You might be surprised after hearing my explanation."

Elan, still skeptical but willing to listen, replied, "Alright, let me hear it."

Arion began, "I mentioned that I need to scan objects before I can know about them. So, if I use my scanning ability, you just need to walk around and touch the walls. My scan can penetrate through the walls, and it might help us find an exit."

Elan's interest was piqued. "Wait, your scan can penetrate through walls?"

Arion confirmed, "Yes, my scanning ability can go through solid objects. It allows me to understand what's on the other side. So, even if we're in a dark place and can't see anything, I can still gather information about our surroundings."

Elan felt a spark of hope. "That sounds much more useful. If your scan can help us find an exit, then we might have a way out of here after all."

Carefully, he stood up again, this time more slowly to avoid aggravating his head. "Alright, let's find our way out of here. But first, let me know how far you can scan," Elan said.

"My scanning ability can reach up to five meters wide," Arion replied.

"Great. Use your scan and just tell me when I'm close to a wall." Elan began to wave his hands in front of him, trying to feel for any obstacles. Even though Arion could scan the surroundings, Elan felt it was better to be cautious.

After several steps, Arion suddenly said, "Stop!"

Elan's heart jumped at Arion's sudden command. "What is it?" he whispered, afraid of what might be ahead.

"There's a tree branch about half a meter in front of your forehead. You might hit it and make your head injury worse," Arion explained.

Relieved that it was just a tree branch, Elan took a deep breath and felt a bit frustrated. "What the hell? You said you could scan five meters ahead. Why didn't you notice it earlier?"

"I can, but since you were waving your hands around, I thought you'd notice the branch yourself. I didn't expect you to lower your hand," Arion replied.

"Fine. Let's just continue, and please tell me next time if there's anything in my way," Elan said.

"Got it," Arion agreed.

Elan continued to walk, feeling his way through the darkness, until his hand touched a rugged wall. He slowly traced the wall with his hand, moving cautiously. After a while, Arion spoke again, "Stop."

Elan paused and asked, "Is there another branch near my head?"

Arion chuckled softly. "No, the wall you're touching is shallow. This is the exit."

Upon hearing that Arion had found the exit, Elan's face lit up with a big smile. "Great! What should I do? Push it, or is there a lever I need to pull?"

"Just push it hard, and it will open," Arion instructed.

Without hesitation, Elan pushed against the wall with all his strength. At first, it didn't move, so he pushed even harder. Slowly, the wall began to shift, and a breeze brushed against his face as the stone door gradually opened, revealing the light.

Elan's excitement grew as he finally opened the stone door fully, stepped into the light and out of the dark enclosure, and covered his eyes.

The sudden brightness made Elan close his eyes for a moment. After spending so much time in the darkness, the light outside was almost blinding. He took a few deep breaths, allowing his eyes to adjust to the new brightness.

As his vision slowly returned to normal, he opened his eyes and exclaimed happily, "We're out!" Relief and joy filled his voice as he turned to look at his surroundings.

What he saw stunned him. He found himself standing at the edge of a vast, lush forest. Towering trees with thick, green canopies stretched as far as the eye could see. The forest floor was covered in vibrant foliage and colorful flowers that he had never seen before. The air was fresh and filled with the scent of blooming plants, the sounds of chirping birds, and rustling leaves.

In the distance, he could see a majestic mountain range, with snow-capped peaks glistening under the sunlight. A crystal-clear river wound its way through the forest, reflecting the sky like a mirror. The entire landscape was a breathtaking mix of vivid greens, blues, and whites, creating a scene that seemed almost otherworldly.

As Elan continued to take in the stunning view, his eyes caught sight of something unexpected—a small hut nestled in the middle of this beautiful landscape. The hut was made of rustic wood with a thatched roof that blended seamlessly with the surrounding foliage.