Chalice nodded, feeling a sense of relief that Jack didn’t think she was crazy. They spent the next hour chatting over tea, with Chalice telling Jack about her experiences in this strange new world.

As they continued to chat, they both realized that it was getting darker outside. To Chalice’s surprise, the night sky was a beautiful shade of purple, and she could see all four moons shining brightly in the sky.

As the night sky continued to mesmerize Chalice, Jack kindly offered her a room for the night, since she had nowhere to go. Chalice was grateful for his offer, as she did not know how to return to her world or what would happen when she slept.

Jack showed Chalice to a cozy guest room and left her to settle in. As she lay down on the comfortable bed, she couldn’t help but think about how strange and wonderful her situation was. She had somehow ended up in another world, met a kind stranger, and was now staying in his home.

As she drifted off to sleep, she wondered what other surprises this world had in store for her. Would she ever find a way back home, or was this her new reality? These questions swirled around in her mind until she finally succumbed to sleep.

The next morning, Chalice woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside her window. She got up and went to the kitchen, where Jack had already made breakfast. Over pancakes and coffee, they talked about their lives and what brought them to this place.

Chalice learned Jack had lived in this world his whole life and had known nothing different. He was a skilled carpenter and had built the house they were in himself. As for Chalice, she shared her story of how she had ended up here, though she wasn’t sure herself.

After breakfast, Jack offered to show Chalice around the area. They walked through the forest, admiring the beautiful flora and fauna. Jack showed her a nearby river where they took a refreshing swim, and they even climbed a tall tree to get a better view of the surrounding landscape.

As the day wore on, Chalice realized she was feeling at home in this strange world. She still missed her old life and wondered if she would ever find a way back, but for now, she was content to explore this new place.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

As Chalice woke up the next morning, she realized she was still in Aelara. She couldn’t help but wonder how she could go back to Earth and how she had even arrived in this mysterious world. As she got up from bed, she noticed a note left for her by Jack. It read, “Good morning, Chalice. Hope you slept well. I had to go out for a bit, but I’ll be back soon. Make yourself at home and explore the garden.”

Jack suggested taking Chalice to a place he called the Darnstall Stronghold. As he described it, Chalice instantly recognized it as a castle from her imagination. It had been one of her favorites that she had created in her mind.

The castle’s massive yellow stone walls were dominated by five thick, square towers that rose high into the sky. The towers were connected by solid walls that were lined with tall, wide windows scattered generously in an asymmetrical pattern. Overhanging crenelations, designed for archers and artillery, added to the castle’s imposing appearance.

The only entrance to the castle is through a massive gate with colossal metal doors, a drawbridge, and powerful defenses. It stands as the last stronghold along the rough shoreline and is the easiest way to enter the castle, although “easy” is a relative term in this case.

Large houses are scattered outside the castle gates, showing that even the wealthy are comfortable living outside its walls. Despite being centuries old, the castle stands strong, a testament to the determination of its inhabitants to ensure its preservation for generations to come.

Whenever Chalice thought of creating something for Aelara, a castle always came to mind. She was inspired by the ruins she had seen on Earth and how magical they had always seemed. She knew that a castle had to be included when she was imagining a place for Aelara.

Jack guided Chalice towards the Darnstall Stronghold, eager to show her the real-life version of the castle she had envisioned. As they approached the massive structure, Chalice’s eyes widened in awe at the sheer scale and grandeur of the fortress.

“I can’t believe it’s real,” she whispered to Jack, her voice filled with wonder.

“I know. It’s quite something, isn’t it?” he replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

As they made their way inside the castle, Chalice marveled at the intricate details and ancient architecture. The walls were lined with tapestries and suits of armor, and the air was filled with the faint scent of wood smoke and spices. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia for a time and place that she had never known.