NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: Chapter 1: The Beginning of Everything
Chapter 1: The Beginning of Everything
Adam Grayson was an ordinary guy. At least, that's how he saw himself. Twenty-six years old, working a dead-end job at a tech support center, and living alone in a studio apartment surrounded by posters, Funko Pops, and a stack of Blu-ray box sets of his favorite TV shows. His passions weren't unusual—he loved immersing himself in fictional worlds, where characters he admired faced challenges, found love, and overcame their darkest moments.
"The Originals," Teen Wolf, Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer,—these were his sanctuaries. The characters felt more like friends than the fleeting coworkers and acquaintances in his life. He often dreamed of what it would be like to step into their worlds.
But dreams and reality had a funny way of clashing.
It was a stormy Tuesday night, the kind where thunder rattled windows, and rain splattered against the glass. Adam was curled up on his couch, rewatching The Originals. His favorite episode was playing: the Mikaelson family struggling against their greatest enemy yet—the Hollow.
"You've got to trust each other," Adam mumbled at the screen, munching on a bag of chips. "Come on, Klaus. Stop being such a jerk."
He laughed softly, shaking his head at Elijah's stoic demeanor and Rebekah's endless exasperation.
The next moment, lightning struck, and everything went dark.
"Ah, great," Adam groaned, reaching for his phone. He flicked on the flashlight and headed for the breaker box. As he stepped into the hallway, a strange sensation washed over him—a prickling at the back of his neck.
"Hello?" he called out, suddenly uneasy.
No answer. Just the faint hum of rain.
Then, without warning, the ceiling above him caved in.
Adam had barely a second to register what was happening before a massive chunk of plaster and debris crashed down, pinning him to the floor. Pain shot through his body like fire, and his vision blurred.
"Help…" he croaked, but there was no one around to hear.
As the darkness closed in, Adam's thoughts were a whirlwind. Regret. Anger. Sadness. He hadn't done anything extraordinary with his life. No great love, no achievements to be proud of, no one waiting for him at the end of the day.
Is this it?
His final thought wasn't about his life, though. It was about the worlds he loved.
I wish I could've been part of those stories.
When Adam opened his eyes again, he wasn't in his apartment or anywhere he recognized. He stood in a vast, endless void, the ground beneath him shimmering like liquid starlight. Ahead of him was a figure—not a person exactly, but a radiant being, their form constantly shifting and glowing like a living aurora.
"Adam Grayson," the being said, their voice echoing through the void.
Adam stared, his pain gone but his confusion mounting. "Uh, yeah. That's me. Where am I? What happened?"
"You died," the being replied bluntly.
"Oh." Adam blinked, then chuckled nervously. "Well, that sucks."
The being's form rippled, almost as if amused. "Your death was unfortunate but not meaningless. You lived a simple life, but your love for stories and characters resonated across the fabric of existence. You longed for a chance to be part of something greater."
Adam frowned. "Okay, but what does that mean? Are you, like, God or something?"
The being didn't answer directly. "You are being given a rare opportunity. A chance to step into the worlds you cherished, to make a difference, to rewrite destinies."
Adam's heart raced. "Wait, you're saying I can actually… go into TV shows? Like, for real?"
"Yes," the being said. "But such power comes with limits. You will be granted five wishes to aid you in your journey. Choose wisely, for these gifts will shape your path."
Adam's mind reeled. He was dead. That part sucked. But this? This was everything he'd ever dreamed of. He'd finally have the chance to meet the characters he loved, to help them, to bring back those who had been lost too soon.
He took a deep breath, his excitement bubbling over. "Okay. Let's do this. Here are my five wishes."
Adam's Wishes
A Multiversal System
Adam's first wish was simple: a system that allowed him to travel between TV show worlds. It would guide him, track his progress, and unlock new worlds once he completed missions in each.
The Power of Gluttony
Inspired by RPGs and anime, Adam asked for the ability to absorb anything—magic, abilities, even physical objects—and integrate them into his body or turn them into magical items.
Adaptive Evolution
To ensure he could handle the powers he absorbed, Adam wished for his body to adapt to anything he encountered, giving him full control and immunity over absorbed abilities.
A Multiversal VIP Shop
Adam wanted a way to acquire items, abilities, and materials from the TV worlds he visited. He asked for a daily reward of 50,000 points and the ability to buy and sell with a 50% return rate.
Resurrection Power
Finally, Adam wanted the ability to bring back characters he loved who had died. The only restriction was that he could resurrect a limited number of people per world.
The being's form glowed brighter with each wish. "Your desires have been granted. Use them wisely. Your journey begins now."
Adam grinned, ready to leap into action. "One last question—where am I starting?"
The being's voice reverberated, a mix of finality and anticipation.
< SYSTEM MESSAGE: First destination—The Originals. Prepare yourself. >
A portal opened behind Adam, swirling with dark blues and purples. He stepped through without hesitation, his heart pounding with excitement.
To Be Continued...
PS. THIS FANFIC IS PARTIALLY CREATED BUY AI