Disoriented and confused, I scanned my surroundings. Though the rain had vanished, I was still soaked from the downpour just moments earlier.
I stood in a vast landscape of lush green plains, stretching as far as I could see.
No city, no cars, no familiar landmarks-just endless fields and a clear blue sky.
My heart raced as I tried to make sense of it all.
"Let me think, let me think," I muttered to myself, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
How had I gotten here? What was this place? One moment I was in the city, searching for my cousin, and now I was in an entirely new place.
It felt like a dream, but everything was too vivid, too real.
I took a deep breath and tried to remember what happened before I ended up here.
I was at the crosswalk, saw the figure in the red hoodie, and then ran towards the corner where I found the glowing sigil. And then... this.
It was like stepping through a hidden door to another realm, but why me? And what about my cousin? Was he here too?
A shiver ran down my spine, not from the rain, but from the uncertainty. I felt utterly alone in this strange place, with no idea where to go or what to do next.
I needed to find answers, and fast.
Was there a way back home?
Would I find other people, or was I truly on my own?
I looked around, searching for any signs of life or hints of civilization.
A narrow dirt path snaked its way through the plains, leading toward a distant forest.
It seemed like my best bet, so I began walking, my soaked clothes clinging to my skin.
As I walked, I kept thinking about my cousin, hoping he was safe somewhere in this strange world. If this place had drawn me in, perhaps it had taken him too.
The thought gave me a spark of hope, something to hold onto as I ventured into the unknown.
A few hours later, I had walked so much to the point that my legs had given out, and there was still no sign of civilization in sight. Then, before my legs could give up, I saw a large, giant tree in the distance. The sun shone so bright, a weather I'm not used to. I sat for a moment and waited for my legs to rest, and then I would venture to that giant tree.
A few hours later, the endless walk was starting to take its toll. The lush green plains were beautiful, but the scenery barely changed as I trudged along the narrow dirt path.
The sun hung high in the sky, beating down with an intensity I wasn't used to.
Sweat soaked my already-damp clothes, and my legs were sore and exhausted from the constant walking.
Just as I thought I couldn't go any further, I noticed something in the distance, a large tree, towering over the plains like a guardian.
Its branches spread wide, casting a shadow that stretched across the grass.
The sight gave me a burst of energy, just enough to push through the fatigue.
I limped over to the base of the giant tree and sat down, leaning against its massive trunk. The cool shade felt like a blessing, and I took a moment to catch my breath.
The breeze rustled through the leaves, providing a gentle reprieve from the heat. As I rested, I thought about the path ahead and how far I'd come from that rainy crosswalk.
The tree seemed like an anchor in this vast, unfamiliar landscape, a place to regroup and gather my strength.
I didn't know what I would find if I kept walking, but at least the tree was a point of reference. As I sat there, I wondered if my cousin had passed this way, if he had found this same shade.
It was a comforting thought, even if there were no signs of anyone else around.
I closed my eyes and let the breeze wash over me, my legs finally getting a chance to rest.
The exhaustion was real, but so was my determination to keep going.
I knew I couldn't stay here forever, but a few moments of calm under this giant tree were exactly what I needed.
After a while, I opened my eyes and felt ready to move on.
The tree loomed above me, its branches reaching toward the sky.
It felt like a good omen, a sign that I was on the right track, even if I didn't know where that track would lead. I stood up, stretched my sore muscles, and began to follow the path again, heading toward whatever lay beyond the horizon.
I reached into my pocket, hoping to find my phone, but it wasn't there, a sinking feeling hit me. Not only was I lost in an unfamiliar world, but now I had no way to call for help or even check the time. It was disorienting and unnerving, but I knew I had to stay calm.
I still had my wallet, though, so I opened it to check its contents. Everything seemed intact—my ID, a few bills, and a small picture of my family.
I took the photo out and stared at it for a moment.
It was a snapshot from a few years ago. All of us, my family, were smiling and happy. Seeing their faces brought a pang of homesickness and a surge of determination.
I tucked the picture back into my wallet and put it back in my pocket.
Exhausted from the long walk and the emotional turmoil, I sat down against the trunk of the giant tree and closed my eyes.
I didn't intend to fall asleep, just to rest for a bit and gather my strength.
The shade and the gentle breeze made it easy to relax, despite the unfamiliar surroundings.
As I sat there with my eyes closed, I could hear the distant rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of birds.
It was peaceful, almost serene, a stark contrast to the stress and worry I'd felt back in the city. But I couldn't shake the feeling of being utterly alone, with no clue how to find my way back or where to go from here.
I knew I couldn't stay here forever, but I needed a moment to recover from the endless walk.
I allowed myself to rest, hoping that when I opened my eyes, I'd find some clarity or a sense of direction.
I let myself be still, letting the sounds of the forest lull me into a brief, uneasy rest.
ZANARIA POV:
As I patrolled the Sword Heart Plains, the vast territory that stretched between the human kingdoms and the dwarven strongholds, I sensed a faint pulse of mana.
It wasn't unusual for human scouts to infiltrate this region, especially with the rumors of an upcoming war.
My duty, assigned by the regent, was to prevent any such incursions, so I flew with my staff strapped to my back, tracing the source of the mana.
When I reached the edge of the plains, I spotted her...a girl with long black hair, brown eyes, and fair skin. Her clothes were soaked, suggesting she had wandered through the rain or a river.
Given the state of her attire, I activated my cloaking bracelet, rendering myself invisible to her sight.
Humans were forbidden in these lands, no matter how lost they might be.
It was my duty to guard this territory, and I needed to assess the threat before taking action.
From a distance, I watched as she continued to walk, her steps slow and uncertain. She seemed disoriented, perhaps confused about where she was.
However, appearances could be deceiving, so I remained cautious, ready to act if needed.
Hours passed, and she eventually reached the Survein Tree, one of the last ancient trees in this part of the region.
The tree was massive, its branches stretching far and wide, offering shade and a moment of respite from the sun.
The girl sat beneath the tree, pulling something from her pocket.
I adjusted my position to get a better view, then used my spyglass to focus on her. What she took out was small and rectangular...a wallet, unlike any I'd seen before.
It appeared to be made of some sort of synthetic material, not the leather or cloth typical of human crafts.
She opened it, retrieving a small portrait that looked almost like a photograph, though that was impossible in this world.
The level of detail was uncanny, as if the image had been captured with technology unknown to me.
The more I watched, the more I realized this girl might not be a scout or warrior, but rather someone who had somehow stumbled into the Sword Heart Plains by accident, Yet, the rules were clear: no humans allowed.
If I reported her presence, the regent's forces would likely treat her as a spy, and her fate would be sealed.
I hesitated, torn between my duty and my curiosity. Who was this girl, and how had she ended up here? Should I confront her, or report her to the regent?
The more I observed, the more I questioned whether the usual protocol was the right course of action.
She had closed her eyes, perhaps from sheer exhaustion after walking for hours across the Sword Heart Plains.
It was odd for a human to tire so quickly; most warriors could endure a full day of walking without showing any signs of fatigue, but this girl didn't seem like a fighter, not with her pace or her lack of combat gear.
When she appeared to be asleep, her guard completely down, I remained cautious; humans were forbidden here, and my duty was to ensure the security of this territory.
The regent had placed a heavy emphasis on surveillance and swift action against any incursions.
Still, the girl seemed harmless, even pitiful.
After a few minutes, I decided to get a closer look. I activated my cloaking device to maintain invisibility and descended toward her. My wings were silent as I touched the ground near the Survein Tree. I drew my dagger from its sheath at my waist, ready to act if she posed any threat. As I stood over her, she didn't stir.
She was completely still.
I examined her face closely.
She had bruises on her arms and scratches across her cheeks.
Her clothes were tattered and soaked, likely from her journey through the plains,
There was a sense of vulnerability in her expression, even as she slept. She didn't carry any weapons or visible magical artifacts, just a small wallet that she had tucked back into her pocket.
I hesitated, feeling a pang of uncertainty; my orders were clear.
If humans were found in this region, I was to detain or eliminate them, Yet, looking at her, it was hard to imagine her as a spy or a threat. She seemed lost, perhaps a victim of some otherworldly event that had transported her here.
Despite the regent's strict rules, I knew I had to make a choice: I could leave her to the elements, or I could report her to the regent's forces, knowing their response would be severe.
Something in me urged caution, not just in protecting the Sword Heart Plains but also in handling this girl.
As I stood over her with my dagger in hand, I wondered what the right course of action was. Should I wait and see if she awoke with any explanations, or should I take immediate action to ensure the security of the region?
The longer I stood there, the more I realized that this decision might alter the course of her life and possibly my own.
I decided wait until she wakes up and ask, I remembered a conversation I had with a human friend, "if races talked it out maybe we wouldn't be in this war" then I looked at the sky, the sun would go down soon, I decided to get fire wood, after picking up some fallen dry branches I started a small fire, the sun soon went down and readied my dagger, curses would soon appear through the night, I knew I had to patrol but for some reason I I felt I couldn't just leave this human behind.
I decided to wait until she woke up to ask her about her intentions. I remembered a conversation I'd had with a human friend, long before the war, "If races talked it out," he had said, "maybe we wouldn't be in this war."
It felt like a naive sentiment, given the chaos that followed, but I couldn't help thinking it might be true.
It was with that in mind that I looked at the sleeping girl and chose to stay and wait for her to wake up.
The sun was setting, casting a warm glow across the Sword Heart Plains.
Knowing that curses and other malevolent entities often appeared after dark, I gathered firewood to create a small campfire. I found a few dry branches and leaves, enough to start a modest fire near the Survein Tree.
I was careful not to let the flames grow too large, not wanting to attract unwanted attention.
The sun dipped below the horizon, and the coolness of night settled over the plains. I had to be on patrol, but I couldn't bring myself to leave this girl alone in the dark.
She was defenseless, and I knew how dangerous the plains could be at night.
I kept my dagger at the ready, prepared to protect her if anything threatened our location.
The cloaking bracelet remained active, concealing me from any roaming curses or creatures that might wander too close, my instincts told me to keep watch until morning when it would be safer to move her or ask her questions.
The small fire crackled, casting a gentle glow that illuminated the immediate area. I watched the girl sleep, her breathing steady, the bruises on her skin visible in the firelight. She didn't seem like a threat, just a lost soul in an unfamiliar world.
As the night grew darker, the sounds of the plains changed. Distant howls and the rustling of creatures in the grass became more frequent.
I stood guard near the fire, my eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
Despite the risks, I felt a sense of responsibility for this girl.
Leaving her behind didn't feel right, not when she was so vulnerable.
I knew I would have to explain my actions to the regent if this ever came to light, but at that moment, I chose to listen to my sense of honor.
I'd wait until she woke up, then I could ask her questions and decide what to do next; until then, I kept watch, ready to protect her from the dangers that lurked in the Sword Heart Plains at night.
RYAZANIA POV:
"Rya, when you grow up, you need to help people, because it is our duty," he said, his voice gentle but full of conviction, his hand soft and firm as it petted my head.
It was a memory, a lingering echo from my past, fading away, I closely opened my eyes.
The first thing I noticed was the warmth of a small bonfire next to me, a woman with long, silk-white hair and striking amber-blue eyes sat by the fire, her slender figure outlined by the flickering flames.
A dagger rested at her side, but her demeanor was calm as she cooked meat over the fire.
"Are you awake yet?" she asked, her voice cool but not hostile. She casually ate a piece of the meat, then looked at me with a raised eyebrow, as if waiting for a response.
My heart raced as I took in the scene. This woman had a weapon, and I had nothing but my fists. Confronting her would be suicidal, yet she didn't seem threatening at the moment.
If she intended harm, she had plenty of opportunities while I was asleep.
I clenched my fist, assessing my options, feeling the tension in my knuckles.
The scent of cooking meat caught my attention, my stomach rumbling in response.
It had been a while since I had eaten, and the aroma was irresistible.
The woman noticed my gaze and extended her hand, offering me a piece of the cooked meat.
"Here, have some," she said, her voice nonchalant.
There was no hint of malice, just an offer of food to someone in need.
I hesitated for a moment, but my hunger overcame my caution. I slowly reached out and took the piece of meat from her hand, keeping my eyes on her the entire time.
The warmth from the fire was comforting, but the uncertainty of my situation kept me on edge.
As I bit into the meat, savoring the taste, I glanced around, trying to piece together what had happened. Why was she helping me?
The woman continued eating, her eyes calmly watching the fire.
She seemed at ease, as if my presence was just a minor curiosity.
I needed answers, but I also needed to be cautious.
This was not my world, and I had no idea who I could trust.
You're human, right?" she asked, her voice clear but sharp.
The question puzzled me. "Ahm... yes," I replied, not understanding why she'd ask that.
"Humans are forbidden here," she stated, her tone turning more formal. "I am a soldier of the Ivorian Empire, and I safeguard this region.
"How did you get here, and who are you?"
I hesitated, holding the piece of meat she had handed to me. Her gaze was intense, and I knew I couldn't afford to lie. "I am Ryazania," I said, choosing my words carefully. "I'm from the Philippines, which is... on Earth."
My heart raced as I realized I was no longer in my world. "I'm not sure how I ended up here.
I was chasing after my cousin, and then I... somehow appeared in this place.
The woman raised an eyebrow. "From Earth?" she repeated, as if weighing my words. "There's no record of a 'Philippines' in our maps. If you're telling the truth, it means you're an otherworlder."
She leaned back, her expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
"Tell me more. What is this Earth like, and how did you get here?" she asked
I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. I needed her to believe me if I had any hope of finding my way back home. "Earth is... It's a different world," I explained, not entirely sure how to put it. "We don't have the Ivorian Empire or this kind of landscape, It's filled with cities, technology, and different countries. I'm not a soldier or a spy; I'm just a student. I don't know how I got here- I just... followed something and ended up in these plains."
The soldier listened, her eyes fixed on me as I spoke.
I couldn't tell if she was convinced, but at least she wasn't attacking me. "Otherworlders are rare," she said, almost to herself
"Though it's not unheard of. If what you say is true, you're in dangerous territory.
The Ivorian Empire doesn't take kindly to intruders, human or otherwise."
I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I don't mean to cause any trouble," I said, trying to sound as sincere as possible, "I just want to find my way back. If you can help me, I'd be grateful, if not... just point me in the right direction, and I'll leave peacefully."
The soldier considered my words, her gaze still focused on me. "We'll see," she said finally. "For now, stay here and don't make any sudden moves. If you're truly an otherworlder, there might be a way to send you back- but that's not my decision to make." She stood up, her dagger at her side, and looked out into the darkness. "I'll need to report this. Don't try anything foolish while I'm gone."
Seemingly grabbing something from behind, she gestures to me, holding what seems to be a pistol.
"Here, take this mana pistol. If anything looks threatening, shoot it," she said with authority.
I nodded, understanding her caution, I picked up the pistol and I watched as she walked away, then disapeared, leaving me alone with the small fire. The night was growing colder, and I knew that I was in for a long wait.
All I could do was hope that the soldier would return with answers and that I could find my way back home-or at least navigate this strange new world without getting into trouble.
I held the pistol she gave me. It resembled a Glock, a design I was familiar with; despite its magical origins, it felt solid and well-balanced in my hand.
Guns had always intrigued me, and I knew how to operate one. With the mana pistol in my grasp, I felt a bit more secure in this unknown world, I kept it close as I settled by the fire, eventually drifting off to sleep, the sounds of the night fading as I succumbed to exhaustion.
ZANARIA POV:
As I flew through the night, the Swordshut Mountains loomed larger with every passing moment. I descended near a cave and pressed my hand against the stone.
The wall recognized my aether properties and opened, allowing me to slip through. Inside, I went to the responder and sent a telegram to the base:
"An otherworlder has appeared in the Swordheart region. Requesting immediate action."
I pressed the button to send the message.
An hour later, I received a response: "Bring her in." I left the cave and went to find the girl. I was just a soldier following orders. Whatever happens, may fate be kind to me.
ZANARIA POV:
I flew at top speed toward the girl's location; the wind whipping against my face as I raced through the sky just as I was gaining ground, a sudden burst of dark energy erupted overhead, streaking across the night sky like a black comet.
I instinctively raised a circular aether shield to block the attack but the force behind it was too much, the shield trembled, then shattered into a thousand shimmering pieces.
A shockwave of energy rippled through the air, sending me spiraling. Before I could recover, a winged warrior swooped in, her armor reflecting the faint light from the shattered shield. She wore a menacing helmet that concealed her face, and her long sword arced through the air with lethal precision.
I barely had time to react before the blade struck, a searing pain shooting through my left arm as the sword bit deep, the impact sent me crashing toward the ground, my body struggling to stabilize as I spiraled downward. It was clear I had stumbled into something far more dangerous than expected, and my only hope was to regroup and counterattack with one arm nearly useless and a winged warrior on my tail; the odds were quickly turning against me.
"An otherworlder should have appeared here. Did you kill her?" she hovered just above the ground, her sword pointed straight at me, her voice filled with authority and suspicion.
"What if it did?" I answered with a smirk, hoping to mask my fear with bravado.
"Then you'll meet death," she said without hesitation.
She moved with blinding speed, her sword striking from the left. I barely dodged it, my body reacting on instinct.
As I took out my dagger and lunged for her neck, I was met with a force stronger than anything I could endure.
A dark energy punch slammed into my stomach, sending me flying across the plains. I hit the ground hard, pain surging through my body, before I could even attempt to get up, I saw her standing over me, her blade pointed at my throat.
"Where is she?" she demanded, her gaze cold and merciless.
"Go to hell," I replied, spitting out the words through gritted teeth.
Her blade swung down, sweeping through my neck with a single, decisive motion.
I felt my head detach from my body, the sensation of losing control overwhelming me as my head flew through the air, before I could even process what was happening, she caught my severed head by the hair, her hands glowing with an infernal dark flame.
"Oh, girl, must you be safe?" I thought my last concern for the otherworlder as everything went black.
"The girl must be near. Search for any faint trace of mana," the winged soldier commanded with authority.
"Find her and bring her to me alive," she said with a strong voice that echoed through the night. Shadows burst from her back, forming into cloaked figures resembling assassins. They scattered in all directions, moving swiftly across the land, silent and nearly invisible. The winged soldier then glanced up at the moon. "The day you return won't be far," she said with determination.
RYAZANIA POV:
In the dream, a faceless man, bleeding from the waist down, fought like a knight with no way to escape, his clothes were torn, his sword shattered, but he stood defiantly against the onslaught.
"If I am to die, I'll take you all with me!" he shouted at the dark figures surrounding him.
The shadows rushed at him with ferocity, their weapons raised to strike...
I jolted awake from my slumber, my heart racing from yet another dream of that mysterious warrior.
The small bonfire had burned down to embers, casting a faint glow. I could hear the distant rustling of the night, the wind carrying whispers from the plains.
I knew that the dream was more than just a nightmare; it was connected to my journey in this strange new world.
The soldier who had shared her fire with me was gone, perhaps she was scouting or investigating something nearby.
I looked around, my senses on high alert, feeling the tension in the air. I needed to figure out my place in this world and how to survive. I knew one thing for certain: I wasn't safe.
Out of fear, I instinctively drew my pistol, holding it high and trying to steady my trembling hands. I scanned my surroundings, my breath shallow and rapid, when a shadow figure, cloaked like an assassin, appeared behind me.
Before I could react, it struck me down with a powerful punch to the back, sending me crashing to the ground.
"Arghh! It hurts!" I groaned, feeling a sharp pain spreading across my body, as I lay on the ground. The shadow figure rushed toward me, its movements fast and predatory. I fired my pistol in its direction, but it moved with uncanny speed, dodging each shot as if anticipating my every move.
I struggled to get up, but before I could regain my footing, another punch to my stomach knocked the wind out of me, causing me to double over in pain.
I gasped for air, feeling my strength ebbing away.
Just as I tried to lift my pistol again, a swift strike to my neck sent me into darkness, my senses fading as I fell into unconsciousness.
***
The shadow figure carried the girl away, intent on returning her to the winged soldier but before it could go back, a volley of aether shots struck, a soldier with golden hair and jade eyes stood on a high ledge, rifle in hand, aiming precisely at the shadow figure.
He fired a rapid sequence of shots, each one striking true, and the shadow figure's core fragmented, its body dissipating into dark mist.
As the shadow dissipated, the otherworlder fell toward the ground, but the soldier was quick to act.
He leaped down, catching her before she could hit the rocky surface. Without hesitation, he hoisted her over his shoulders, and he launched himself into the air, heading swiftly to the nearest navigation point.
He flew with urgency, his senses alert to any further threats.
The night air rushed by as he soared over the landscape, the girl hung limply across his shoulders, and the soldier went for the nearest navigation point.
"One of them died," the winged soldier said in a stern voice. Her eyes closed as she focused on the energies around her, seeking any trace of the escaping soldier.
It didn't take long before she found what she was looking for, the distinct aether signature of the soldier carrying the otherworlder.
"Found you," she murmured with grim satisfaction.
Her wings spread wide, and she jolted into the air, accelerating so quickly that she became a blur, the night wind whipped through her feathers, the landscape below becoming a mere streak of color as she raced toward her target.
Her hand gripped the hilt of her blade, unsheathing it in a smooth motion as she cut through the night sky the blade's edge gleamed with an ominous light, reflecting the moon's cold glow, the winged soldier was not one for hesitation, and the distance between her and the soldier with the otherworlder was closing fast.
She flew with deadly intent, her movements fluid and precise.
The soldier carrying the otherworlder might have thought he was safe, but she would soon prove him wrong.
She was a force of retribution, and nothing would stand in her way.