When Gabriel opened his eyes, he noticed the sky had an unusual hue—a vibrant, almost fluorescent blue that seemed to pulse. He rose slowly, taking in the fresh scent of the grass, but something felt off: the sounds were different, almost musical, as if every breeze and movement vibrated in harmony.
Soon, he saw the first figures. Tall, strong women with well-defined muscles and graceful movements. Some were lifting enormous stones as if they were pillows, while others ran in circles, their steps so swift they stirred tiny whirlwinds. Further ahead, in a clearing, a group of women practiced a sport that combined combat and acrobatics, leaping into the air with an almost supernatural agility.
Gabriel approached cautiously, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The murmuring conversations ceased as soon as he stepped into the clearing. All heads turned to him, eyes wide with curiosity and astonishment.
“Is it… a man?” one of them murmured, her voice a mix of surprise and wonder.
“I thought they were just legends,” another replied with a nervous laugh.
Gabriel felt like a child before a giant audience. He didn’t know whether to run, explain himself, or simply stand still. Before he could decide, one of the tallest women, with braided hair and golden eyes, strode toward him confidently.
“Are you real?” she asked, leaning in to examine him closely.
He swallowed hard.
“I… I think so. Where am I?”
She smiled, revealing teeth so white they seemed to glow.
“Welcome to Lunaria, the world of the Amaris.”
Gabriel noticed more and more women approaching, forming a circle around him. Their gazes ranged from curious and fascinated to slightly challenging.
“What’s a man doing here?” another asked, crossing her arms, her tattoos shimmering under the sun.
He tried to explain, stumbling over his words, how he remembered falling asleep in his apartment on Earth and suddenly waking up there. As he spoke, he noticed some of the women jotting down notes in glowing notebooks, as though he were a rare specimen.
“And what do you do to take care of your body?” asked a muscular woman, looking him up and down.
“Uh… I jog sometimes and lift some weights.” He felt tiny compared to those athletes.
The Amaris laughed, but not mockingly. It was a warm, amused laughter.
“We have much to teach you.”
Before long, he found himself swept into challenges. They tried to teach him how to lift stones, run like the wind, and play the acrobatic sport, but he was far too clumsy to keep up. The women cheered him on with every attempt, not for his performance, but for his courage.
As the day went on, Gabriel realized his presence wasn’t just a curiosity; it was a catalyst. The Amaris weren’t only intrigued by him; they were also eager to learn about his stories, his world, and even his weaknesses.
That night, sitting around a campfire with the women, he felt, for the first time, not like a stranger but an explorer—someone who had stumbled upon a unique place.
“So, Gabriel,” asked the golden-eyed leader, “what do you think of Lunaria?”
He smiled.
“I think it’s the most fascinating place I’ve ever been… and if you don’t mind, I’d love to stay a little longer.”
The women applauded, and the leader replied,
“But you’ll have to work hard to keep up. Here, everyone trains to be their best.”
Gabriel knew it would be a challenge, but as he looked at those incredible women, he felt ready to face the unknown with them. And perhaps, he’d learn more about strength, body, and spirit than he’d ever imagined.
Image credit: seaart.ai