Roy Maksimov had always been a dreamer. From the moment he could hold a screwdriver, he had been dismantling and rebuilding everything in sight. By the age of ten, he'd built a rudimentary robot using scraps from his father's workshop. At eighteen, he was already known as the "mad scientist" of his community, a title he wore proudly.
But Roy wasn't content with small inventions. Living in the technologically advanced 31st century, where flying cars and artificial intelligence were commonplace, Roy dreamed of creating something that would stand out-something revolutionary.
"Roy, when are you going to build something practical?" his father often chided. "A toaster that doesn't burn bread would be a good start."
But Roy's ambitions lay far beyond kitchen appliances. He wanted to change the world-or better yet, explore others.
Now, standing in his makeshift lab, Roy was on the verge of achieving his most ambitious goal yet: a machine capable of transporting people to other worlds.
"This is it," he murmured, his blue eyes gleaming with excitement as he tightened the final bolt on the massive contraption before him. His lab wasn't much-a cramped space filled with exposed wires, blinking monitors, and papers scattered everywhere-but it was his sanctuary.
"Roy, this is insane," came a voice from the doorway.
He turned to see Kira leaning against the frame, her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. She was the only person who truly understood him, his best friend and partner in every crazy experiment.
"It's not insane," Roy said, grinning as he wiped sweat from his brow. "It's groundbreaking."
Kira stepped into the room, her skepticism apparent. "You really think this thing is going to work? A machine that opens portals to other worlds?"
Roy nodded, his confidence unwavering. "I don't think, Kira. I know."
She sighed, brushing her short brown hair out of her face. "Alright, genius. But if this blows up in our faces, I'm blaming you."
Roy laughed. "Deal."
Hours later, the machine was ready for its first test. It was an imposing structure, towering over them with its intricate web of glowing panels and circuits.
Roy powered it up, his fingers flying over the keyboard as the system hummed to life. Lights flickered, and the air crackled with energy.
Kira watched nervously from the corner, her arms hugging herself. "Are you sure about this?"
"Positive," Roy said, his voice steady.
The centerpiece of the machine-a swirling vortex of light-began to form, its colors shifting and pulsing like a living thing.
"It's beautiful," Kira whispered, her skepticism giving way to awe.
Roy grinned. "Told you."
But as they watched, the vortex began to grow unstable. The colors darkened, and the machine started to shake violently.
"Uh, Roy?" Kira said, her voice rising in alarm.
"I've got this," Roy said, typing furiously.
Alarms blared, their shrill wails piercing the air.
"Roy, shut it down!" Kira shouted.
"I'm trying!"
The vortex suddenly exploded in a burst of light, engulfing Roy in its brilliance.
"Roy!" Kira's scream was the last thing he heard before everything went black.
When Roy opened his eyes, the world was... wrong. The sky above him was an unnatural shade of orange, and the air smelled metallic and burnt. He sat up, groaning as his head throbbed.
"What... what happened?" he muttered.
Looking around, he froze. The landscape was barren, with cracked ground stretching endlessly in every direction. Jagged black rocks jutted out like broken teeth, and strange, twisted structures loomed in the distance.
"This isn't Earth, at least not the Earth I know" he whispered, his voice trembling.
Panic began to set in. His machine was gone, and so was Kira. He was utterly alone.
A low, guttural growl shattered the silence.
Roy turned sharply, his heart pounding as three creatures emerged from the shadows. They were massive, with sleek, dark bodies and glowing red eyes that burned like embers.
"Oh no," he whispered.
The creatures-Netherbeasts, his mind supplied unhelpfully-began to circle him, their movements predatory.
"I don't suppose you guys want to talk this out?" Roy said, his voice shaky.
The beasts lunged.
Roy bolted, his instincts taking over as he sprinted across the uneven ground. The beasts were fast-too fast-and he could feel their breath on his neck.
He stumbled, falling hard onto the ground. Pain shot through him, but he forced himself to roll over just as one of the beasts pounced. Grabbing a sharp rock, he swung wildly, managing to slash the creature's face.
It howled in pain but only seemed angrier.
Roy scrambled to his feet, ready to fight, when a sudden light blinded him. The beasts froze, snarling in confusion before retreating into the shadows.
"What the-"
A beam of light shot down from above, enveloping Roy. He felt weightless as he was lifted off the ground and pulled toward the source of the light.
The next thing he knew, he was in a massive chamber. The walls shimmered with silver and gold, and the air buzzed with an energy that made his skin tingle.
At the far end of the room stood a figure. She was tall and regal, with long dark hair cascading down her back and a crown of crystals atop her head. Her eyes glowed a fierce gold, and her presence radiated authority.
"Welcome," she said, her voice smooth and commanding. "You have entered my domain uninvited."
Roy stared, his mouth dry. "Who... who are you?"
"I am Queen Lorisa, ruler of the Netherworld," she said, stepping closer. "And you, outsider, have much to explain."
Roy swallowed hard, his mind racing. "I... I didn't mean to come here. It was an accident. My machine-"
"Silence!," she said sharply, her gaze narrowing. "Do you take me for a fool? No one enters the Netherworld by accident."
"It's the truth!" Roy said desperately. "I swear, I'm just trying to get back home."
Lorisa studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she sighed.
"Very well," she said. "If you truly wish to leave, you will have to earn your way out."
Roy blinked. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Lorisa said, a faint smile playing on her lips, "your journey is just beginning."
Roy's heart sank as Lorisa gestured to the towering gates behind her. "Beyond these doors lies the truth of this world. Survive it, and perhaps I'll consider helping you."
YOU ARE READING
Into The Netherworld I
Science FictionRoy Maksimov, an ambitious 18-year-old scientist in the 31st century, dreams of creating groundbreaking inventions. When an experiment with on his masterpiece world-transporting machine goes wrong, Roy is thrust into the Netherworld, a desolate, mys...
