Lana
I woke up with the same feeling as yesterday—and the days before that.
The realization that I was trapped in this unfamiliar world hit me like a weight on my chest every time I opened my eyes.
Faint sunlight seeped through the small gap in the window curtains, casting a dim glow over the simple yet suffocatingly quiet room.
It had been days since I arrived here and every day felt like a prison sentence.
Not because I was locked up. Not because I was physically chained but because I had nowhere to go.
The world outside this house was too dangerous for a human like me. At least, that's what Kaelith and Sylas told me.
And after everything I had seen, I couldn't exactly call them liars.
I stared at the wooden ceiling, the rough texture of the beams now painfully familiar. There wasn't much to do here. No household chores. No work. Nothing.
Even food was provided, as if this world ran on some unseen system that kept everything in order without effort.
Magic?
In the corner of my room, a small table held several old books, their covers worn with age. I had tried reading them before—only to realize I couldn't understand a single word.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair.
I needed something—anything—to keep me busy because if I didn't, I was going to lose my mind.
Footsteps echoed from outside my door.
I didn't need to guess who it was.
Every morning, Kaelith and Sylas left without explanation, only returning when the sky turned dark—sometimes bruised, sometimes bloodied, but always looking like they had just survived something I couldn't even begin to comprehend.
I stepped out of my room just in time to see them getting ready to leave.
Kaelith, as always, wore his long black cloak, his sword strapped to his side like an extension of his body.
Sylas, in contrast, looked far too relaxed, dressed in a loose shirt with his signature smirk in place as he tied his hair back.
"Where are you going?" I asked, even though I already knew they wouldn't tell me.
Kaelith didn't even bother to look at me. "Our business."
Sylas, however, gave a lazy smile as he pulled on his gloves. "We'll be back tonight. Don't leave the house."
I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Not like I have anywhere to go."
At that, Sylas paused.
And then, to my utter irritation, his grin widened.
"Oh?" He turned toward me fully, taking his time stepping closer. "So, you're finally accepting your fate?"
I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He tilted his head, mocking curiosity. "Well, when we first brought you here, you had so much fire in your eyes. But now? You're already talking like a caged bird."
I clenched my jaw. "I am not a caged bird."
Sylas chuckled, his gaze flickering over me like he was trying to decide whether or not to believe me.
"Mm," he hummed, amused. "We'll see about that."
Kaelith, clearly uninterested in Sylas' games, turned toward the door. "Let's go."
Sylas shot me one last playful glance before following. But just before stepping out, he waved at me over his shoulder. "Try not to get too bored in here, Lana."
I roll my eyes "Oh, don't worry. I'm having so much fun staring at stone walls all day."
Sylas smirked. "If you get lonely, you can always talk to Kaelith's sword. It probably has more emotions than he does."
Crazy.
Kaelith, who was fastening his cloak, did not even react.
And then, the heavy wooden door shut behind them with a deep thud.
Leaving me in silence. Again.
I let out a long breath.
"What now?" The question haunted me every single day.
I wandered into the kitchen, already knowing there was nothing to cook.
The shelves were always stocked with food from who-knows-where. Some of it looked unfamiliar, but it tasted fine. Another mystery I had stopped questioning.
I grabbed a piece of bread, sat at the long table, and took a small bite.
The taste was fine—soft, slightly sweet—but it felt… empty. It wasn't the food I missed. It was everything else.
I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly.
I missed the smell of fresh coffee in the morning. I missed walking down busy streets, hearing the distant hum of cars, the idle chatter of strangers, the sound of a world that never stopped moving.
I missed my bed.
I missed my phone.
I missed knowing that if I wanted to leave, I could.
I clenched my jaw, gripping the bread in my hand.
No.
I refused to accept this as my fate. There had to be a way back. There had to be.
Even if I was married to two evil elves.
Even if this world had monsters lurking in every shadow.
Even if I had no idea where to start.
I would find a way. Because I had to.
I took another bite of the bread, forcing myself to chew despite the lump in my throat.
Crying wouldn't help me. Showing weakness wouldn't save me.
If I wanted to survive, I had to be strong.
I glanced around the room, taking in the details I had once found strange.
The cold stone walls. The shelves filled with old books and deadly weapons. The atmosphere that always felt like a storm was waiting to break.
It didn't feel like a home and somehow…I was getting used to it.
Kaelith and Sylas were far from normal.
Kaelith barely spoke unless necessary, his every move precise, as if emotions were a waste of time.
Sylas, on the other hand, was the exact opposite—playful, unpredictable, always testing me like I was a puzzle he wanted to solve.
At first, their presence had been suffocating.
But now? Now, I had learned to adapt.
I had learned that Kaelith wouldn't entertain meaningless questions. If I wanted answers, I had to ask directly and with purpose.
I had learned that Sylas thrived on reactions. If I let him get under my skin, he would only push further.
So, I had stopped giving him the satisfaction. I had stopped showing anything because in this world, weakness was dangerous.
I still remembered my first night in this place.
Kaelith and Sylas had returned bloodied, their clothes torn, their faces unreadable. When I asked what happened, they had simply shrugged and said:
"The usual."
The usual?!
I had no idea what kind of lives Kaelith and Sylas had lived before I came here.
And more importantly…Where exactly did they go every day?
My gaze flickered toward the front door.
It was always unlocked.
But the more time passed, the more my curiosity grew.
How dangerous could it really be?
Maybe if I just took a quick look— Nothing extreme. Just a peek.
Slowly, cautiously, I made my way to the door and pushed it open just slightly. A rush of cold air greeted me instantly, sending a shiver down my spine.
The world outside was eerily quiet.
The towering trees stretched toward the sky, their twisted branches resembling clawed hands. Mist drifted between them, curling like ghosts whispering secrets to one another.
I took a step outside. Just a few steps.
Then—
I froze.
A massive bear stood not far from me but it wasn't normal.
Its fur was pitch black, darker than the shadows around it. Its eyes glowed a deep, sinister red. Sharp fangs jutted from its slightly open mouth, saliva dripping onto the ground as it sniffed the air.
It looked… hungry.
And it had noticed me.
A terrifying stillness settled in my bones. My pulse roared in my ears.
For a second, I couldn't move.
And then, the bear turned its head toward me. Its glowing eyes locked onto mine.
Maybe if I just stand still, it won't see me. That works with T-Rexes, right?
...Wait, no. That was in a movie. Damn it.
Oh, No.
HELL. NO.
I spun on my heels, sprinting back into the house. My hands trembled as I slammed the door shut, gasping for breath. My heart thundered against my ribs.
I pressed my back against the door, my entire body shaking.
That thing… that wasn't a normal bear. It was too big. Too unnatural.
I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to breathe.
Calm down. Think.
I wasn't weak. I couldn't be weak.
I had sworn to myself that I wouldn't break, that I would find a way home, that I would survive no matter what.
But…
But how could I fight against that?
My fists clenched at my sides.
I didn't want to admit it but I had never felt this small. This powerless.
I gritted my teeth.
Maybe I couldn't face that thing now. Maybe I wasn't ready but that didn't mean I would stay like this forever.
I refused to be trapped here, too scared to step outside. I had to get stronger. I had to learn how to defend myself.
If I ever wanted a real chance at escaping this place, I needed to be prepared.
My heartbeat slowed, but the fear still lingered.
I wasn't giving up but for now, I had to accept the truth.
The outside world wasn't for me.
Not yet.
To be continued….