I Was Never Meant to Return

In a parallel dimension, a hauntingly surreal world exists where individuals who are transferred from their own realities find themselves inhabiting different bodies. These bodies can vary greatly—sometimes they awaken as younger versions of themselves, grappling with the complexities of youth once more; other times, they become adults, forced to navigate the trials and tribulations of a full-grown existence. Occasionally, they are thrust into the forms of terrifying demons or bizarre creatures, each with their own distinct set of challenges and identities.

In this strange realm, those reincarnated into human bodies face a grim reality. Unlike the demons that roam the landscape, these humans do not inherit any special powers or abilities; their souls and bodies remain devoid of might, rendering them vulnerable to the darker forces that surround them. This impotence is a cruel twist of fate, for while demons wield dark arts, mystical abilities, and deadly artifacts—capable of unleashing laser beams or teleporting across the expanse of this chaotic dimension—humans must rely on sheer ingenuity and resourcefulness to survive.

To endure in this hellish realm and seek a way to escape, individuals must navigate a landscape fraught with peril and suffering. The unrelenting nature of their environment tests their endurance and resilience. However, survival isn't merely about persistence; it also requires a deep engagement with the bizarre and often dangerous ecosystem around them. Each encounter with the bizarre flora and fauna reveals secrets, teaches lessons, and ignites a deeper understanding of the intricate balance between life and death.

For those humans longing to transcend their limitations and gain powers or artifacts of their own, the path is perilous yet clear. They must delve into the dark arts, embracing rituals steeped in ancient lore and shadowy magic, taking advantage of the enemies they encounter. A pivotal moment occurs when a human manages to slay a creature—each victory not just a display of primal strength but a ceremony steeped in significance. After defeating a foe, they must perform a ritual upon its lifeless body, imbibing its essence, stealing its powers, or claiming its artifacts for their own. This act of transmutation is not only a means of survival; it is a desperate bid for agency in a world that seeks to diminish their very existence.

The stakes are high, and the moral implications of their actions are murky. As they traverse this reality, individuals must grapple with the consequences of their choices, balancing the allure of power against the potential loss of their humanity. Each decision shapes not only their fate but also the threads of destiny that connect them to others in this nightmarish existence. In the end, the journey through this parallel dimension becomes a profound exploration of identity, power, and survival, with the ultimate goal of escaping the clutches of this grim place. The struggle may transform them into something greater—or irrevocably darker—as they search for a way out and confront the true nature of their new reality.

At present, Dylan yelled loudly "Why this blood is so dirty it smells so bad!" he saw a white light blazing who else would be it was Melissa who pierced the alien's chest saying in a colder voice she said, "Don't overreact it's just a blood"! replying to her he said "Oh I thought it was saltwater goddamn I know but it smells so bad fucking hell". For a while Dylan lay there, panting, covered in alien gore. "...Okay. That was metal as hell."

Melissa swayed on her feet, her face a mess of blood and bruises. "Shut... up..."

Then her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed next to the alien's corpse.

Dylan tiredly spoke "Oh god what happened to her maybe her strength got exhausted I knew she was a weak soul!

A few hours passed, but Dylan didn't even flinch he was just sitting idle with his minor injuries with Eternal Lantern and was waiting for Melissa to wake up. after a while, Melissa opened her beautiful purple eyes and she looked more relaxed now, dylan sweetly replied "Good morning sleepy head how was your sleep princess ?". replying her "Oh damn I was too exhausted maybe I use my powers above my limits. he replied, "oh I was curious about your powers and your sword it hella looks cool silver shapely edged damn". she replied "ah shit we are still lacking behind we need to move on ahead quickly but before that, we gotta do one more important thing!". he replied, "important what like exactly what?".

Melissa sharply spoke "Do you want power or not?"

That got his attention.

"Power?" He raised an eyebrow. "Like, superpowers? Magic? Are we talking Spider-Man or Doctor Strange here?"

Melissa exhaled through her nose, clearly fighting the urge to strangle him. "This creature is a Voidborn—a predator from the abyss between worlds. Its essence is pure, concentrated survival instinct. If we harvest it, you can steal its abilities."

Dylan's grin turned feral. "You had me at 'steal.'"

Melissa rolled up her sleeves, revealing intricate violet runes carved into her forearms. She pressed her gauntlet against the alien's chest, and the metal hissed as it began absorbing the creature's residual energy.

"First, we need its core," she muttered. With a brutal yank, she tore open the alien's ribcage, revealing a pulsating green-black organ—its heart, still twitching despite death.

Dylan gagged. "Okay, that's disgusting. Do I have to eat it? Because I draw the line at alien sushi."

Melissa shot him a glare. "No. But you do have to bleed for this."

She grabbed his wrist and—before he could protest—sliced his palm open with one of the alien's own claws.

"OW! What the hell, Melissa?! A little warning next time!"

"Quit whining," she snapped, pressing his bleeding hand against the alien's heart. "Now repeat after me: 'I take what is not given.'"

Dylan hesitated. "That sounds like a bad deal with a demon."

"It is a bad deal," Melissa said flatly. "But it's the only one you're getting."

Dylan sighed. "Fine. 'I take what is not given.' Happy?"

The moment the words left his lips, the heart exploded into black-green mist, surging into Dylan's wound.

"OH SHIT—" He jerked back, but it was too late. The energy flooded his veins, burning like liquid nitrogen. His muscles locked, his back arching as his skin cracked with glowing green fissures.

Melissa watched, unblinking. "Good. Now survive."

Dylan's vision whited out. His bones snapped and reformed, his nerves rewiring themselves to accommodate the alien's predatory instincts.

New Knowledge Flooded His Mind:

Teleportation (Short-range, but instantaneous) Enhanced Reflexes (His perception slowed time itself) Void Resistance (The labyrinth's horrors couldn't fully claim him now)

But with it came the hunger.

A deep, gnawing void in his gut, whispering:

"More. You need more."

When Dylan finally came to, he was on his knees, panting. His veins still glowed faintly green under his skin.

Melissa stood over him, arms crossed. "Well?"

Dylan flexed his fingers—and blinked two feet to the left without moving.

"HOLY SHIT!" He laughed, giddy. "Did you see that?! I just—" He vanished again, reappearing behind her. "—TELEPORTED!"

Melissa didn't smile. "Don't get cocky. That power comes at a cost."

Dylan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, 'great responsibility' blah blah—"

"No." Melissa grabbed his arm, her grip like iron. "Every time you use it, the Void gets a little deeper into you. Use it too much, and you start becoming it."

Dylan's grin faded. "...Oh."

A distant screech echoed through the labyrinth.

Melissa released him. "But hey. At least now you're harder to kill."

Dylan cracked his neck. "Alright, then. Let's go test this out."

Somewhere in the dark, something new began to hunt them.